TWO large statues have been ripped out of Blackburn's main war memorial in a 'shocking' crime on the town's remembrance garden.

The Royal British Legion said the theft of the two lion head figurines from the cenotaph in Corporation Park was a ‘sad sign of the times’.

Vandals are the most likely culprits but police said the two custom-made carvings, seen as ‘part of Blackburn’s history’, could have been stolen to order for a collector.

The theft comes as veterans begin their annual poppy appeal which will culminate in the annual remembrance service at the cenotaph.

Blackburn Royal British Legion secretary Des Owen said: “I am absolutely shocked.

"I just can’t believe it. It seems to be a sign of the times. There’s no respect for anything.

“These things have no commercial value but they’re part of the history of Blackburn.

“People must be out of their minds to pinch something like that.

"Blackburn always respects ex-servicemen, and it will be shown on November 11 - it is always jammed at the memorial.”

The lion heads, which were about one metre high, were mounted in the wall of the memorial and formed part of the fountain display on either side of the cenotaph.

Originally made of bronze when the memorial garden was created in 1922, they were replaced around four years ago when the park was restored thanks to a £3.7million lottery grant.

The new versions are thought to be made either of lead or stone.

Police said they could be ‘fairly valuable’ and may have been targeted for a personal collection.

Due to their weight the thief will have likely needed a van to take them away.

Eddie Maxwell, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s parks manager, said he thought the statues could have been stolen to order.

He added: “It’s despicable that someone could stoop so low to steal from a remembrance garden. It’s there as a memorial to people who have died.”

A plaque has also recently been added to the memorial, commemorating local soldiers who have lost their lives in action from the First World War to present day conflicts in Iraq and Aghanistan.

And a new ‘discovery trail’ is about to be unveiled at the park thanks to more lottery cash.

Brian Healey, the treasurer of the Corporation Park Supporters Group, said: “It’s pretty grim.

"Obviously we are disappointed, in view of the fact that we are about to celebrate the new discovery trail.

“We are disheartened, but we won’t be beaten down because there has been a dramatic drop in vandalism recently.”

Police said the theft had taken place between 5pm on Wednesday and 9am on Thursday.

PC David Byrne said inquiries were focusing on either vandalism or someone’s personal collection.

He appealed for witnesses to come forward.