NEIGHBOURS of a war memorial were outraged to discover human excrement and urine in the gardens round the 94-year-old landmark monument.

Dozens of furious Little Harwood residents launched a petition to clear up the area intended for reflection and stop it being used as public toilet and haven for drinking and drug-taking.

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After several months of campaigning, bushes have been cut back and walls cleaned around the iconic Clock Tower war memorial in the shopping centre off Whalley New Road.

The discovery of two piles of human faeces and evidence of people urinating in the gardens has been branded ‘shocking, disgusting and appalling’ by neighbours and councillors.

Lawrence Gilbertson from the Royal British Legion described the behaviour of those responsible as ‘desecration’ and ‘terrible and disgusting’.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, said the defiling of the memorial gardens was ‘tragic’.

Last year 71-year-old Little Harwood resident Hazel Hamer watched a man urinate in the overgrown bushes around the distinctive war memorial, which was unveiled in 1923.

Further investigations by residents discovered one set of human faeces on the wall around the gardens and a second amount in a plastic container in the undergrowth along with evidence of drinking and drug-taking.

Mrs Hamer, a former nurse, said: “The behaviour was appalling especially as this is a memorial commemorating local people who were killed in two world wars.

“It meant many people stayed away from the gardens.

“I saw a man urinating in the bushes and we found human faeces on a wall and in a plastic container in the bushes.

“There were cans everywhere. It was as if people were using the gardens as a public toilet.

“It was just disgusting and I and other local people started a petition.

“We got more then 50 signatures.

“We contacted the local PCSO and finally something has been done.

“A lot of the overgrown trees and bushes have been cut back so it is more open.

“People can now appreciate the memorial and enjoy the garden more.”

Volunteers, Police Community Support Officers and Blackburn with Darwen council staff teamed up to tidy and clear the memorial garden after Commissioner Grunshaw provided a £2,000 grant from his Community Action Fund.

The tidied up memorial was given a re-opening ceremony last week where the Rev Joanne Macholc, curate at nearby St Stephen’s Church, said a prayer.

Mr Gilbertson, president of the Darwen branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It is disgusting and terrible when people desecrate a war memorial.

“This is desecration and defiling of the worst order and I am pleased the gardens have been restored to stop this anti-social behaviour and restore them as a place of remembrance.”

Mr Grunshaw, who attended the ceremony, said: “Tragically, the Memorial Gardens had become overgrown and a magnet for anti-social behaviour, drinking and drug use.

“It was fantastic to see the impact that the works have had and how the sense of pride in the community has been restored.”

Cllr Pat McFall, who represents Little Harwood, said: “It was in an appalling and terrible state.

“It is absolutely disgusting that people were using it as a public toilet.

“Human excrement and traces of human urine were found by council officers.

“I am delighted we have been able to clear the gardens up so they can return to their proper use as a place of reflection and recreation.”

Cllr Jim Smith, borough environment boss, said: “I am absolutely shocked, appalled and disgusted that human faeces and urine were identified in a war memorial garden.

“I am glad it can now return to its proper use as a place of remembrance and quiet.

“I would appeal to local people to keep and eye on it and if the council catches anyone using it as a public toilet, it will prosecute.”

A council spokesman confirmed that faeces and traces urine found in the gardens were human.