THE desecration of a First World War heroes' grave has been condemned as 'absolutely disgusting'.

The headstone of Private Robert Edward Rushton was discovered to have been forcibly removed from the ground when people gathered for an Armistice Day service.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Private Rushton, who served with the 6th reserve battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, was just 18 when he died and is the youngest serviceman buried at Waddington Road Cemetery in Clitheroe.

Council bosses, residents and the Royal British Legion have condemned the attack calling it 'unbelievably sad' and have labelled whoever is responsible 'sick'.

More than 100 people had attended a remembrance service at his grave in August to commemorate the start of the Great War after the cemetery was cleared of overgrown grass.

Private Rushton, the son of William and Catherine Rushton of Brownlow Street, Clitheroe, died in active service from acute appendicitis on January 12, 1919.

His headstone, which weighs 67kg, was broken off at its concrete base.

Whalley resident Mel Diack, 61, who has campaigned to maintain war graves in the Ribble Valley and arranged the service this week, said: "When I saw the grave I was completely sickened by it .

"I felt so ill that I wasn't able to take part in a reading for the service.

"I can't get into the mind of a person or people who have done this. Whoever has done this is sick.

"I made an inspection of the graveyard the other day and it looked fine to me."

Bob Scott, chairman of the Clitheroe branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It is absolutely disgusting and I am incredibly sad.

"I am surprised that this sort of thing has happened in Clitheroe and it is a shame that some members of the population don't share the popular opinion on remembrance."

Marshal Scott, chief executive of Ribble Valley Council, which has reported the incident to the police, said: “We are appalled that this particular grave has been vandalised at a time when the country is remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

“We will ensure those behind this mindless act are prosecuted and anyone with information is asked to contact us in complete confidence.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for the grave, is due to inspect the cemetery in the coming days.

A spokesman said: "It is deeply worrying to see when any commonwealth war grave is damaged, but we would not like this to impinge on how we remember the fallen.

"Once an inspection of the site is carried out we will be able to see if the grave can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.

"If we do need to replace the stone then we will have to place an order to our manufacturer in France, but we would look at replacing it as soon as possible."