AN appeal for witnesses has been made after two community defibrillators in Hyndburn were vandalised earlier today.

Black and red spray paint had been used to deface the devices in Queen Street and King Street, Great Harwood, between 1pm and 2pm, it is believed.

A Hyndburn Police spokesman said: "This is a mindless abuse of this vital and generously-donated resource. We are carrying out CCTV enquiries."

The two 'defibs' were each donated by the Philip Maher Foundation, which was established in 2015 in memory of the local sportsman who died in January 2015 after collapsing during a football match.

One of the devices was positioned outside the offices of Watson Ramsbottom, where his son Stuart works, and the other was located on the front wall of the Trinity URC and Methodist Church.

Some of the devices were similarly vandalised in October and December last year but the charity's supporters have remained defiant.

Seven 'defibs' have been donated and fitted at strategic points around the town. One of the latest was at Memorial Park playing fields.

Police have asked anyone with information about the latest incidents to contact them on the non-emergency number 101, quoting log number LC-20170121-0765.