A WAR memorial damaged by ‘mindless’ vandals has been repaired.

Two concrete posts which surround the cenotaph in Darwen’s Bold Venture Park were pushed over last week, causing outrage.

Vandals also sprayed blue paint on memorial benches, obscuring the names of those they paid tribute to.

Blackburn with Darwen Council contacted Cherry Tree-based stonemasons Brent Stevenson Memorials, and the posts were put back in place.

Along with help from Mr Stevenson, workmen from CB Price and Son used a special heavy lifting machine to put the concrete posts back in place.

Mr Stevenson said: “Someone will have a job taking them out again as they have steel dowels down the centre.

“The lifting machine made it easy. I think it would have been a big job without that. We did well to get it done so quickly. It was quicker than I expected.”

Friends of Bold Venture Park chairman Harry Duxbury said: “It is a relief that it got fixed so soon.

“It is very frustrating when this sort of thing happens, especially after all the work we have done, and it isn‘t the first time this has happened.

“But these are the things you have to contend with all the time.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Pete Hollings, deputy chairman of Darwen Town Council, said: “I am really pleased it has been all sorted out.

“I just hope that whoever did it is caught and properly punished.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for environment Coun Jim Smith said: “It is disgraceful that vandals can cause such disrespectful and disgusting damage to what is a stunning war memorial in Bold Venture Park.

“I am pleased to say that the damage has been repaired and hopefully this shameful action can be put behind us.

“I urge anyone with any information regarding this reckless act against the fallen and the communities they served to call the police.”