VANDALS have torn up roses from a garden of remembrance at a Darwen park.

The garden, marked by a plaque, is in memory of the children and teacher who died in the Dunblane shooting tragedy.

It was dedicated by the Rev David Deal, of St Peter's Church, on March 13, the anniversary of their deaths.

Linda Walsh, of Rydal Avenue, a regular visitor to the garden, was disgusted when she saw about half of the roses had gone.

"They were just coming into bloom and I thought how lovely the garden would look. Then this happened," she said. Jacqui Lee Summers, who together with Coun Paul Browne came up with the idea of a memorial garden, said: "I can't believe someone could do that. Each of the red roses represented a child and a white one their teacher. It makes you think nothing is sacred any more."

Jacqui raised £1,300 for the people of Dunblane with a variety concert organised by herself and Coun Browne.

Coun Browne said: "I think they are sick if they can take them from a garden of remembrance and can see from the plaque what they are there for."

The roses, donated by the Four Seasons Garden Centre, were planted in April 1996, by the Mayor of Blackburn at that time, Coun Mrs Maureen Bateson, and guests.

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