ANGRY Darwen residents have hit out at vandals who smashed the town's Boer War memorial.

The black stone lion statue, commemorating those who died in the war between 1899 and 1902, stands in Belgrave Square near to the tram shelters.

During the past week vandals smashed the lion's leg and left the remains scattered on the ground tarnishing the memories of men from the town who lost their lives.

It is the second time the memorial has been targeted as the original gold lion statue, officially unveiled in April 1903 by Alderman John Tomlinson, was stolen in 1988. It was replaced in 1991 with the black statue.

Sunnyhurst Councillor Dave Hollings said: "I am shocked that someone has damaged something that has been such a big part of Darwen's heritage for such a long time, especially a war memorial which is one of the worst things which could be damaged.

"I would urge anyone who has any information about this vandalism to contact the police as soon as possible."

Sarah Burn, owner of nearby Sarah's Sizes shop in Belgrave Tram Shelter, said: "It's such a shame. It's supposed to be a memorial commemorating the Boer War.

"You can see the damage where they've obviously hit the lion with something and thrown it around.

"My daughter was really upset when she saw it. I noticed it when I came to work last week because there's big bits of black stone in front of it on the ground."

Sergeant Mark Thackeray-Scott, of Darwen Police, said: "We weren't initially aware of this incident but I will be making the community beat officer Shelley Lancett aware of it so that we can patrol the area and make further inquiries."

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Sgt Thackeray-Scott on 01254 353844.