VANDALS have smashed over 50 stones and paving flags at a park in Colne.

Four men were seen running away from the park at around 7.20am yesterday (Friday).

It appears that the stones were simply damaged rather than stolen.

Ward councillor Joe Cooney called the damage an “act of mindless vandalism” and said the council would now need to find the money to pay for the repairs.

He said: “They have smashed 54 of the concrete slabs around the bandstand area and it has caused a real mess.

“They are very heavy and it appears most of them have just been smashed up and left in the area.

“It is unbelievable that people would do this, for seemingly no reason. It is just an act of mindless vandalism which ruins it for many other people.

“One person alone could not lift or carry these slabs, there must have been a group of people involved and they must have used something to smash them up.”

Police said they were called to the scene at around 7.30am and found a number of the smashed stones stacked up by some trees on the North side of the park, near to Birtwistle Avenue.

They are appealing for anybody who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time to call them on 101.

Coun Cooney said: “The parks department at the council have been down to inspect the damage and we want to get it cleaned up and repaired as soon as possible.

“It has caused an expense that we didn’t expect though and the money has to be found from within the council’s budget.”