VANDALS have destroyed a village war memorial which has stood proudly for 70 years.

The tall granite cross, erected in Mellor in memory of the men who gave their lives for their country, has been pushed off its stand and smashed into pieces.

Village councillor and war veteran Charles Warkman was almost moved to tears by the mindless attack.

He said: "I served in the Second World War myself and this makes me weep.

"That memorial was put there for all the brave men who gave their lives for this country and obviously the people who destroyed it have no respect for that." The memorial is a large granite cross and has stood proudly in the village Garden of Remembrance since the early 1920s. It is maintained by Mellor Parish Council who employ a handyman to keep it neat and tidy.

The council had also recently arranged for the memorial to be cleaned and renovated.

Coun Warkman added: "It is a part of Mellor's history and I cannot believe it has been destroyed in one mindless act.

"It couldn't have been young children who knocked it over because it is far too heavy.

"But one thing is certain these yobs need sorting out."

Police who are investigating the attack on the cross have described it as a "dreadful act of vandalism."

Anyone who saw the incident or who knows who is responsible is asked to contact Blackburn Police on 51212.

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