A FAMILY is distraught and disgusted after vandals attacked a baby's grave in Bacup cemetery.

Members of the Howe family burst into tears when they visited the grave of stillborn baby David Alexander and found that a wooden cross had been kicked out of its concrete base and sprayed with white paint.

Other graves and the war memorial were also sprayed with paint.

David Howe, 35, of Osborne Terrace, Stacksteads, said: "When I saw what had happened my feelings were of disgust, anger and shock.

"My wife Agnes is distraught and our youngest daughter April , nine, who was with us was crying her eyes out."

The couple have two other daughters Maria, 19, and Angela, 24. Mr Howe, a full time carer for Angela who suffers from epilepsy said: "It is bad enough to have to bury your son without some mindless person desecrating his grave. David Alexander was named after myself and my dad. He died in January, 1990.

"The cross was kicked out of the concrete base and then kicked all over the place. It was covered with white spray paint. I went though every emotion you can think of when I saw it. "I hope that whoever did this is caught and named and shamed.

"What they have done is disgusting."

Mr Howe added: "I have already been round to the monumental mason to order a £400 headstone.

"We can't go through this again it is just too distressing."

The council has been to tidy up the damage and police are investigating the incident.