TWO devastated families have spoken of their heartbreak after graves at a Blackburn cemetery were targeted by vandals and thieves.

Alan Roberts, whose 14-year-old son, Andrew, was killed in 1978, and Catherine Baron, whose disabled sister-in-law passed away in 2002, were left angry and upset by the sick acts carried out at the Pleasington burial ground.

Today, Blackburn with Darwen Council offered its sympathies to the families but said it could not provide round the clock protection for graves.

Andrew Roberts died after being kicked in the neck. A 16-year-old Blackburn boy was later sentenced to two years detention after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Roberts believes cruel thugs painted a red cross on son Andrew's headstone, which has a carved football on it, to make it look like an England flag.

And Mrs Baron said treasured gifts left at Elaine's grave have been stolen. It is not the first time the grave has been targeted since she died from cancer aged 42. Special gifts from her family, including wind chimes and teddies have been taken in the past.

Mr Roberts, of Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, said: "We had a football carved because Andrew loved the game so much. I think whoever did this wanted to make the grave look like a Euro 2004 England flag.

"It was not done on the spur of the moment. These people are just sick."

Mrs Baron, of Troon Avenue, Shadsworth, said: "I can't understand how someone could stoop so low as to steal treasured possessions," she said.

"If you leave something up there you would expect people to have enough respect not to steal it but they do.

"Elaine was severely disabled and didn't have much in life, but she did love teddies, bags and wind chimes."

The Barons called on Blackburn with Darwen Council to step up security at the cemetery.

Attacks on graves at Pleasington have been sporadic in recent years. In June, three graves belonging to two men and a young girl were desecrated at the cemetery's Muslim section, prompting a police investigation.

Peter Hunt, director of direct services at Blackburn with Darwen council, said: "These are deplorable acts and our sympathies are with the relatives.

"We have done our best to prevent this sort of thing occurring and all of our cemetery staff are vigilant."

Police are investigating.