Ref. 74406-14VILLAGERS in South Cerney are angry and disgusted after their war memorial was smashed.

The 12-foot stone memorial, which has been in the village for more than 80 years, was destroyed on New Year's Eve.

Kris Welsh, the supervisor at the Londis shop close to the memorial on Broadway Lane, said: "It's a total desecration. It is in about six pieces all over the floor and only the base is left.

"I was disgusted whoever did this showed a total disregard for people who lost their lives in the war. They are mindless senseless yobs with no respect for anybody else.

"The village is in uproar everybody is disgusted. Everybody who comes into the shop says something about it, even the youngsters."

Michael Stuart, the chairman of South Cerney Parish Council said: "It was an elegant design and was well loved and revered by a lot of people in the village.

"It has caused a lot of distress, not only for older people. A lot of younger people have been upset by it as well, especially as so many people from the area have gone to Iraq.

"The older group are exceptionally hurt and shocked and angry about the whole episode.

"I only hope it was high spirits not intentional desecration, that someone had too much to drink and tried to climb it."

He said he did not know how much the damage would cost to repair but stressed that the parish council would be trying to reclaim the costs through the courts.

"I appeal to anyone who saw anything to contact me," he said.

"We as a parish council are proactive in chasing up this kind of thing. We have had a couple of incidents in the past where we have pursued the offenders.

"We are prepared to follow up and take them through the courts."

Tony Squire, who is the chairman of South Cerney British Legion as well as vice-chairman of the parish council, has spoken to people in the village who were out that night and worked out that the damage must have happened between 12.30am and 1.30am on New Year's Day

"The thing that really saddens me is that there is a lot going on in the world this New Year," he said.

"If the people that did this had been out drinking then I wish they had spent their money on something better.

"The people who died in the First World War were probably only the same age as they were when they died. It really is very sad.

"It is just mindless damage. The villagers are up in arms about it.

"We have left it out so maybe it will shame one or two people."

A Gloucestershire police spokes-man said: "We are making inquiries into the incident.

"Unfortunately we don't have any CCTV from anywhere in the area that can help."

Anyone with any information about the vandalism should contact Gloucestershire Police on 08450901234, quoting incident number 404 of January 1, or ring Michael Stuart on 01285 860439.

ifiled@newswilts.co.uk