RESIDENTS in Nelson are appealing for help to catch vandals who are wrecking graves and headstones in their local cemetery.

Neighbours of Nelson Cemetery are fed up of hooligans destroying the area and have turned to Marsden councillor and leader of Pendle Labour Group, Azhar Ali, for support.

The attacks began on the Walton Lane cemetery more than a year ago but Coun Ali, who recently went to look at the damage, believes the latest incident was the worst so far.

Coun Ali said: "I was horrified with the widespread damage that had been caused to many of the headstones.

"People's loved ones are buried in there and we hope this desecration of the cemetery will not continue.

"Toilets have been defaced and some of the headstones have been deliberately smashed.

"Further more, there have been attempts to get into the recently refurbished chapel, which has led to grilles being put on the windows.

"Residents have told me they have seen cars coming out of the cemetery in the evenings and middle of the night.

"I have been in touch with the police. A lot of people have an idea who is causing the damage and we want to highlight the problem."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

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