REPAIRS have been made to a new Lancashire rose monument in Darwen Old Cemetery after its stem was snapped off.

Members of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery (FODC) group found the damage last week, and believe vandals are to blame.

FODC chairman Coun John East said: “The stem had been broken off and we presume it was an act of vandalism, but can’t prove it.

“The damage was not severe and it was repaired within 48 hours.”

The monument was designed by 11-year-old Hannah Jackson, who won a town-wide schools competition run by FODC for ideas on how to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the site’s opening and the newly-renovated memorial garden.

Hannah’s design was made into a centrepiece for the garden by Blackburn stonemason Brent Stevenson, who has also donated stone benches and wedges for the garden.

The garden is to be used by the people of Darwen to scatter ashes and reflect on their loved ones.