GRAVE 'robbers' used a crow bar to force open stone tombs in an historic churchyard in Whitworth.

The graveyard, which surrounds rural St Bartholomew's Church off Whitworth Square, has been a burial site since 1529.

It was closed in 1957 and is now maintained by Rossendale Council.

Vicar the Rev James Read said: "These are people's remains and it is consecrated ground. It is very dangerous moving these heavy stones as they could fall on someone or they could end up trapped in the vaults."

Three stone tombs which are all more than 150 years old were damaged when a crow bar or similar implement was used to prise the tops apart causing £1,000 worth of damage.

Rossendale Council workers have since repaired the graves.

Although the tops had been moved, Mr Read said the remains had not been disturbed and he is baffled as to what the motive behind the attacks was.

He said: "I have no idea what they were looking for.

"There is no-one around now from those families whose graves were tampered with but every family which has a grave will know that it could have happened to their relative."

Sgt Graeme Fearn said: "We have no idea who would have carried out such an attack.

"But the force used to remove these stones would probably require two people. We do not think this was a child's prank."

The attack happened between 10.30pm on Monday and 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Anyone with information should contact 01282 425001.