THE destruction of hundreds of gravestones in Blackburn's old cemetery is not only a violation of the common decency, it is also a measure of official unconcern.

Though this cemetery is no longer used and although many of the 200,000 interred there are forgotten, it is neverthless a place which deserves better protection.

The fact that this desecration is taking place routinely is evidence of that. The costs and dificulties of making this place more secure may be considerable but if the council and the police cannot show greater respect, they can hardly expect heartless louts to show any.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.