A CEMETERY could become out of bounds after dark following the theft of two benches dedicated to two Darwen men.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is considering locking the gates at Darwen Cemetery, in Bolton Road after thieves dug up the two benches, worth £500 each, from their concrete beds.

The benches had been paid for by the friends and family of two local men. Both carried memorial plaques.

Jason Hope's bereaved family placed a bench in the cemetery in 1995 following his death from septicemia. His friends and family had raised thousands of pounds to support the organisations which had help Jason during his four-year fight to recover from the virus.

The 25-year-old's family had hoped the bench would serve as a permanent memorial.

Peter Thornley's family paid £500 for a bench to be placed in the cemetery three years ago after the 61-year-old died of emphysema and an abscessed lung.

The bench overlooked Peter's grave and his family, including wife Irene, of Coniston Drive, Darwen, visit the grave weekly.

Irene said: "The council really need to take action to make sure something like this doesn't happen again. The people who stole the benches obviously came prepared.

"The gates at the cemetery are never locked at night so it is so easy for troublemakers to get in. To carry away two benches like that you must have needed to drive a van in.

"The cemetery is supposed to be a respectful place of remembrance, not somewhere where people can steal things. The bench cost a lot of money and I don't want this to happen to anyone else."

A spokesman for the council, which runs the cemetery, said: "We have in the past considered closing the cemetery gates at night and we are re-examining this option following what has happened.

"We are sickened by this mindless act and send out sincere sympathy to relatives of the people the benches were dedicated to. We would urge members of the public to contact the police or us if they see anyone carrying out vandalism."