REMEMBRANCE wreaths will not be laid at Earl's Croome's war memorial this year as attempts to find it after it was stolen last month have failed.

Raiders ripped the £7,000 10ft solid oak crucifix from its plinth on the corner of Church Lane in Earls Croome sometime overnight on Wednesday and Thursday August 21 and 22.

"We've on the internet and all sorts but nobody has come to come forward," said Penny Green, chairman of the Earl's Croome Parish Council.

Mrs Green said the parish council are looking to replace the cross.

"We know it's not going to be cheap, but we are still getting quotes," said Mrs Green.

"It's not going to be a wooden cross, it is going to be something that looks like wood."

"Hopefully it is going to look the same."

The cross was pulled down, presumably by a vehicle, and the metal spike that secured it to the plinth was hacksawed off.

The memorial had a brass plaque engraved with the names of Earl's Croome and Hill Croome who lost their lives in the both World Wars and the Korean War.

The memorial is maintained by the Earl's Croome and Hill Croome Parish Councils and a wreath is ordinarily laid there every year.

"We would like to apologise to everybody that the wreath will not be laid there at Remembrance Sunday," said Mrs Green.

It is thought the memorial could have been stolen for the value of the solid oak wood beams.

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact Worcester Police on 01905 723888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.