THE destruction of a flag pole at Stourport's war memorial just weeks before Remembrance Day has sparked outrage.

The 30ft staff has been snapped by vandals, leaving an 18-inch stump, about two months after the other one was also broken.

Gary Talbot, secretary of the Stourport branch of the Royal British Legion, the charity for ex-service personnel and their dependents , dubbed the vandalism an "insult".

He said: "We have the Union flag on these poles on Remembrance Day.

"This wanton act of vandalism is an insult to the memory of Stourport's 135 men killed in the Great War, 49 men in the Second World War and one man killed in the Falklands War.

"They died to preserve the freedom of this country."

Mr Talbot added he thought the vandals - a "minority" of revellers leaving town night spots - had struck late on Friday night or early on Saturday morning.

Town councillor Mick Grinnall said he was outraged.

"I don't understand the total and utter lack of respect of the yobs who would vandalise the poles used to hoist the country's flag in memory of the fallen."

He added "considerable resolve" had been needed to do the damage and continued: "I'm absolutely staggered these people can be so crass and disrespectful and stupid coming up to memorial Sunday."

He said the town council would replace both flag poles in time for Remembrance Day on November 10 at a cost of up to £500 - but added the "money doesn't matter".