Gravestones destroyed by vandals

Up to 40 graves at a churchyard in the West Midlands have been destroyed in a number of attacks over a month.

Some headstones have been pushed over at St Philip's Church in Bradmore, Wolverhampton, with several shattering when they hit the ground.

Several granite crosses have been pushed over and smashed.

The church, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in July 2009, has recently completed a £200,000 renovation programme.

'Vulnerable to attacks'

Rev Jeremy Oakley said: "I have a deep concern and sadness for the many families who regularly visit the graves of loved ones.

"It will be a terrible shock to them when they witness the unnecessary vandalism which has taken place."

A spokesman for the Diocese of Lichfield, Gavin Drake, appealed to everyone who lives near to a church to keep an eye open for "anything unusual".

He said: "We don't want our churchyards to become closed fortresses and this means they are vulnerable to attacks like this.

"Therefore we rely on the goodwill of our neighbours to help protect our churches."

The churchyard at St Philip's is classed as full and has been formally closed to new burials.

Responsibility for the upkeep of the churchyard falls on the city council and people concerned about particular graves should contact the council's parks and cemeteries department, the diocese said.