A MOTHER has blasted vandals who smashed a stone monument in memory of her son.

Lillian Pitchford, of Ellesmere Port, says thugs desecrated his grave in Overpool Cemetery.

It has a small font on it, topped with a stone book of prayer and an angel figure leaning over it. She says the vandals picked up the font and used it to smash one of one of the angel's arms.

Mrs Pitchford, whose son was killed in a road accident in 1965 at the age of six, discovered the damage when she visited the grave on Sunday.

She said: 'I cannot understand the mentality of the people who did this.'

Mrs Pitchford, who lives in the town centre, added: 'What about security in the graveyard? This happened right by the council staff shed.

'When is someone going to do something about this? It's getting beyond a joke.' Borough council cemeteries officer Julie Proctor said it was just one of several recent incidents of theft and vandalism in Overpool Cemetery.

As well as the grave attack at the weekend, cemetery staff were 'stunned' when they arrived at work last week to find plants set the day before had been stolen from the refurbished garden of remembrance.

Miss Proctor said: 'It is quite unbelievable and extremely sad that an individual would want to steal and vandalise property in a cemetery.

'We are appalled and dismayed to be informed of such acts.'

During the last few years the council has introduced a number of deterrents, including employing a private security company to carry out night-time patrols, improved fencing and additional lighting.

Miss Proctor added: 'Please report anyone who is seen acting suspiciously by calling the police on 0151 3554066.'