A TOWN'S memorial garden has fallen target to 'heartless' thieves during a midnight raid.

The remembrance garden in Corporation Park, Blackburn, was broken into in the middle of the night after a lock was removed from a set of gates and a vehicle was driven into the park.

Slabs of Yorkshire stone were then removed from various areas in the remembrance garden, which was laid out in 1922 in honour of those who had fought in the war.

Helen Roscoe Voegt, a member of the Corporation Park Supporters Group said it 'sent shivers down her spine' to think people could be so heartless.

She said: "It looks like they've broken the lock of the gates, driven in and stolen the stones from the remembrance garden.

"I can't believe that people could do something like this, it really makes no sense to me and is very upsetting for everyone using and supporting the park."

Now, members of the public are being urged to keep their eyes open as these stones have been stolen to be sold on, a councillor warns.

Cllr Jim Smith, Executive Member for environment for Blackburn with Darwen council, said: "This is absolutely disgusting.

"The people who have done this have no morals and no values.

"I would ask the public to keep their eyes open- these stones will be sold on."

According to Blackburn with Darwen Council, staff arrived on Wednesday morning to find the lock missing from the main archway entrance to the park on New Preston Road.

They also noted that a vehicle had been used to carry out the theft.

Councillor Hussain Akhtar said he too was deeply saddened to learn of the news.

"People come to use this park from out of town because it's such a nice place to be.

"This is a place for everyone- and I don't believe that people could do something like this. It deeply saddens me."

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen council said: "On inspection it became clear that a significant amount of stone had been stolen and stacked, ready for removal."