THE Friends of Darwen Cemetery are appealing for information following the theft of a bird bath.

The bird bath has been removed from the nature garden area of the Bolton Road cemetery where it has been for more than five years.

The bath was hand carved by Friends of Darwen Cemetery member Anne Lamont.

Ms Lamont said: “I chipped the middle out of a large stone to make it, I like doing craft things like that.

“I don’t really know why anyone would want to take it.

“They were selling similar ones at Oswaldtwistle Mills last month.

“Maybe someone wanted the bath without the price tag?”

The Friends said they have put up notices in the entrance to the park as well as launching an appeal for the bath’s return on Facebook.

Friends member Linda Van Dijk said: “It just disappeared one day.

“I don’t really know what anyone would want with a big piece of stone.

“Maybe they saw it and just had to have it for their garden?”

This is not the first time things have gone missing from the nature garden.

Ornaments have disappeared and been found in different areas of the cemetery and the loose stones that cover the path through the garden have frequently been found scattered across the grass.

Linda said: “We have had a few bits go missing before.

"The lock up has been broken into and someone stole the rosemary out of one of the beds.

“But it’s probably just kids being mischievous”

Chairman of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery, Cllr John East, said the group will be reporting the theft to the police.

He said: “We are not sure when it was removed but it is only over the last few weeks.

“I have told the group to contact the local police.

“I know they won’t be able to do anything about it but it’s a crime statistic and it’s important that it be documented.

“If anyone knows who may of removed it or has any information about where we might find the Bird Bath please get in touch.”

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to email info@darwencemetery.org.uk.