TEENAGE hooligans and thieves were condemned this week for desecrating graves - by playing football in a cemetery.

Grieving relatives lashed out at youngsters who have damaged statues at Runcorn cemetery in Langdale Road.

One heartbroken mother said she was devastated to discover her son's grave had been vandalised.

"Whoever you are, have some respect," said the distraught mother, who does not wish to be named for fear of reprisal attacks.

"Let our loved ones sleep in peace."

She said she had been unable to visit her son's grave for two weeks because of illness.

She said: "I finally got to my son's grave which I normally visit twice a week and to my distress somebody had stolen a plant from his grave.

"Another gentleman was telling me he had to ask some teenagers to stop playing football among the graves."

Halton Council's director of environmental services Dick Tregea said: "We greatly sympathise with those people who have been caused distress by having memorials stolen or damaged.

"The council is extremely concerned about the situation and has alerted the police to the incidents. They have agreed to carry out regular visits to the cemetery.

"Unfortunately, the council is not able to offer any recompense in the event of memorials being damaged and has advised that appropriate insurance policies be taken out."

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