A FAMILY'S treasured memorial bench, which was stolen last week by callous thieves, has been found smashed to bits by police in the attic of a house in Leyland.

Last week (August 30) The Citizen revealed the bench was constructed by a family friend in memory of retired Royal British Legion member Edward Bibby, of St Clement's Avenue, Farington, who died two months ago after a short battle against liver cancer.

The hand-crafted bench was stolen from inside the grounds of the Legion's Leyland branch, in Haig Avenue, last Tuesday (August 28) and the family made a heart felt appeal for its recovery.

On Monday (September 3) police in Leyland arrested a 17-year-old youth in connection with the offence. He has since been charged with criminal damage and will appear before Leyland Youth Court on Wednesday, September 12. A second youngster is helping police with their inquires.

Police constable Paul Bamber, of Leyland police, said: "We have recovered the bench, but it had been smashed into small pieces by the offenders. I arrested one -- a young man, who is due to appear before Leyland Youth Court. He has been charged with criminal damage. We found the bench in the boy's loft, smashed up, but we have recovered the engraved plaque, which will be given back to the family."