A memorial bench has been destroyed by vandals, leaving the community shocked and saddened.

Braystones, a hamlet on the outskirts of Whitehaven, had a beautiful commemorative bench facing the sea.

It was used by locals and walker to sit and take in the view across the Irish sea.

The stone bench had a wooden seat and Neil Cunliffe was shocked while out walking to discover the bench had been damaged and part of it ripped up and used as fire wood.

Mr Cunliffe said: “This seat is south of Braystones on the coastal path and it is a memorial to a lady where you can sit and reflect.

“However, some toe rags have rived the seat off and burnt it on a fire on the beach sometime over the weekend."

He continued: “How low can people go in destroying this memorial? They know who they are - they should hang there heads in shame.”

Mike Starkie, Mayor for Copeland, said: “It’s just mindless vandalism.

"It’s really sad and someone is going to be left very upset, as it was a memorial bench, put there for a reason.

“I can’t believe people in our area are doing this."

“I hope that if anyone saw this or knows who has done it they will report it,” Mr Starkie added.

Call police on 101 with any information about the damage or who may have caused it.