DARWEN Town Council is offering cash rewards for information leading to a prosecution after vandalism at Darwen Tower and the town’s cemetery.

The new dome on the tower had names and obscenities scratched into it last week, just two months after it was replaced.

Apprentice engineers at Darwen metal fabrication firm WEC had produced and replaced it free of charge.

Reports have since emerged that lightning conductors protecting the tower have been ripped off.

And there was outrage after a family grave was desecrated with spray paint in Darwen Cemetery last week.

Now bosses at Darwen Town Council have put up two £500 rewards for information on finding the culprits.

Town Council mayor Paul Browne said: “If we can prosecute one or two of these people I will be over the moon. I hope people will come forward with names, and if they do, it will be money well spent.”

Proposing the reward at a meeting of the town council on Tuesday, deputy chairman Coun Steve Duncan said: “In these days when human rights would not allow you to put stocks up in the Market Square and give the scum who did this a taste of their own medicine, I would like to propose Darwen Town Council offers a £500 reward for information that allows the police to identify and prosecute those responsible.”

The chairman of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery, John East, said there were plans in place to clean up the grave vandalism.

He said: “Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) has offered to help clean up the area and Brent Stevenson, from Brent Stevenson Memorials in Blackburn, will try to remove the graffiti.

“After the Easter holidays, we shall be arranging a general clear-up involving DACA students, parents and local residents.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Coun Browne on 01254 701296.