A FAMILY grave has been desecrated by vandals who have covered the headstone in spray paint.

The 18th century memorial to several members of the Haydock family belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel that once stood near The Circus, Darwen.

The headstone was found covered in pink, yellow and blue scrawls, including the name Andy.

Sunnyhurst town councillor Brenda Cronshaw said she was shocked at the discovery.

She said: “I can’t believe it. For someone to deface a headstone shows a total lack of respect.

“The fact that there’s three different colours and a name written on there shows that some thought has gone into it and it’s been very deliberate.

“It’s appaling, and just because it’s old doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be respected as someone’s final resting place.”

Councillor John East, who has surveryed the town’s graves and who has led restoration work at Darwen Old Cemetery, has vowed to help clean up the damage.

He said: “It is disgraceful that such an old headstone has been vandalised. It seems nothing is sacred these days.

“Darwen should be proud of its heritage and preserve the historical culture including old headstones. I hope the perpetrators feel utterly ashamed.

“I will do my best to repair and restore these out of the way gravestones and give them the respect they deserve."

The Wesleyan Chapel was the first Methodist Chapel in Darwen and the original door was in Back Lane. In 1839 the chapel was enlarged when the front door was moved around the Belgrave Square.

As the congregation increased a new chapel was built on Railway Road and the original was used as a school and this later closed.