Hullavington villagers fear there is a cemetery vandal on the loose after a headstone was knocked down and a dead fox placed across a grave.

The headstone commemorated 76-year-old Effie Jones, who died in November 1971.

Paul Hadley, deputy chairman of Hullavington Parish Council, discovered the smashed headstone in the parish council cemetery, on The Street, a few weeks ago.

Lying in the middle of the grave next to it was a dead fox.

Mr Hadley said: "I looked as if someone had deliberately done it. The fox looked as if it had been placed in the other grave and we are suspicious this could be cemetery vandalism. We are placing the cemetery under careful surveillance.

"The fox was too nicely placed. When foxes are ill they die curled up. It would be very unusual for it to die like this.

"I am not sure many people know about it. There are weird people out there and you just wonder who has done it."

Mr Hadley said the matter was later discussed at the parish council meeting and reported to the police.

Rev Andrew Evans, vicar of St Mary Magdalen Church in Hullavington, said the damage must have been done deliberately.

Mr Evans said: "It can only be deliberate. It causes me enormous sadness.

"Whoever is doing it must look to their conscience and stop. It is very disrespectful and hurtful. This cemetery is consecrated ground.

"Any mindless damage done is disrespectful especially to the people who tend the grave. There are gravestones in the cemetery that date back 80 years. This vandalism is despicable."

Hearing of the suspected vandalism, villager Graham Stokes said he was shocked. He said: "It is sad and disgraceful. Why would people do this in a cemetery? It is very disrespectful."

District and county councillor John Thomson condemned the suspected vandalism. He said: "It is the worst possible thing. I think it is totally and absolutely disgusting. The police must do everything in their power to catch this person. I would appeal to anyone in the community with information to come to the police or me and I will pass it on. This kind of attack leaves me lost for words and I will be talking to Sergeant Gavin Williams of Malmesbury police right away about the matter."

David Hunt, chairman of the village hall management committee, said he was sure villagers would be shocked and disgusted by the vandalism.

He said: "My first reaction to this suspected vandalism is horror. I cannot imagine anyone in the village would do this. I am sure most villagers would be shocked like me. It is disrespectful and disgusting."

PC Dave Castle from Malmesbury police said it was terrible to have

vandalism in a cemetery where people's feelings were affected so directly.

He called for anyone with information to come forward.

If you have information, please call Malmesbury police on (01666) 822222.