Mindless vandals have damaged more than 20 graves in Great Harwood Cemetery.
The incident saw 24 graves - four in the older part of the Blackburn Road site, and 20 in the newer section - pushed over or damaged.
Councillors have hit out at the culprits and the police have appealed for help in tracking them down. The incident took place over the weekend, between Saturday, October 29 and Monday, October 31.
Councillors have promised to fund the repair of the damage and are in the process of contacting relatives. The costs of the damage is yet to be established.
People in the older graves were buried in the Sixties and Seventies while those in the newer section were buried in the Nineties.
Ward councillor Gareth Molineux said he was sickened by the incident.
He said: "These are meant to be people’s final resting place and they are also a place where people can come to pay their respects."
Great Harwood councillor Lynn Wilson said the perpetrators had no respect for human values.
She said: "If you have somebody desecrating a grave, it’s just wrong and is very distressing.
"You can't even say it’s yob culture, as I don't know what kind of culture or group would do this.
"It’s almost as though there is an erosion going on in society and there is no need for people to keep up any values."
Coun Munsif Dad, Cabinet Member for Cemeteries, called on anyone who had any information to help the police catch the offenders. He added: "I am shocked, disgusted and saddened that grieving relatives have had to face this added burden due to this act of mindless vandalism."
Community Beat Manager for Great Harwood PC Andy Sarchet said: "This is an insensitive, despicable and mindless crime that has understandably upset many local people and close relatives of those in Great Harwood." If you have any information about the incident, contact the police on 01254 353334 or 08451 25 35 45.
