HEARTLESS youths vandalised gravestones causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and a lot of heartbreak for relatives.

But then a local monumental masons firm stepped in and repaired the desecration in a matter of days.

The incident happened on Sunday (April 9) at Fleetwood cemetery when a number of headstones were pushed over, uplifting the ground around them.

One grave in particular, a granite headstone for a Mrs Edna Benson, was damaged almost beyond repair and will cost more than £1,000 alone to replace.

Bill Acton, Wyre environmental services officer, is responsible for overseeing the upkeep of the borough's cemeteries.

He said that despite maintaining them to as high a standard as possible it was still shocking that incidents like this could happen.

"It is heartbreaking to see the damage done, especially when we know it causes so much unnecessary heartache for the families involved," he said.

He went on to say a gang of youths were seen on Sunday in the grounds, which is a popular meeting point for groups at night. A local eyewitness told the Citizen: "I saw four children aged between 11 and 12 trying to dislodge a cross from a graveside on Sunday.

"I shouted at them to put it down which they did, but they ran off leaving the cross to crash to the ground. It's a disgrace and they were only youngsters. I couldn't believe anyone would do such a thing."

A spokesman for Wyre Borough Council said the nine stones that had been uprooted have already been restored by local business, Wyre Memorials.

Owner Mr Alf Hopton, pictured here with two of the restored garvestones, said Mr Benson discovered the damage to his wife's grave and had tried to lift the stone back into place himself.

He remarked: "He is an 82 year old man and these are heavy things -- he could have killed himself. We have taken the stone away for repair and it should be back in place before the weekend.

"He is old and his son has just had a heart bypass operation and he probably cannot afford it, so we are doing the repairs free of charge."

Anyone with information can call the environmental services unit on (012530 887417.