Vandalism of 'silent soldiers' erected as war memorials in a town has been branded 'unbelievable'.

The display in Maryport was targeted at the weekend, with the 'soldiers' being knocked to the ground, the heads being snapped off the sculptures and sandpits in the areas they were installed in being damaged.

Councillor Peter Kendall, who is the town's mayor, said that the incident had sent shockwaves through the community.

He said: “There is no respect for the fact that this is a remembrance garden.

“There are people in Maryport that don’t love Maryport.

“We have had unbelievable damage to the memorial garden in Maryport; it is totally unacceptable.”

Mr Kendall said he was disappointed with the vandalism and that money used to repair the memorial could be better spent on things like youth activities in the town.

He urged anyone with information about the criminal damage to contact the police.

The garden was put in place by the town council to remember residents who lost their lives during wartime.

Councillor Adrian Kirkbride, who represents Maryport North, also condemned the damage.

He said: “I’m disgusted to hear of and see images of vandalism in the town's memorial garden.

“Criminal damage is always bad, but to damage things in place to remember those killed or affected by war is unacceptable."

Maryport Town Council took to Facebook to confirm the memorials would be repaired in time for Remembrance Day.

A statement said: “Following on from the criminal damage we have seen over the weekend to our silent soldiers, we can assure these will be fixed and placed back into the gardens for everyone’s enjoyment by Remembrance Day; anybody with any further information can please contact the police.

“Maryport Town Council will be adding to the furniture that sits in the memorial gardens over the coming weeks, with some more seating and a woman in war silhouette to accompany the soldiers, along with this is a CCTV system."