SKATEBOARDERS damaging a war memorial are showing no respect for the dead, according to Bidford's Royal British Legion branch.

Members are furious at young skateboarders who have caused damage to the High Street memorial, the slabs of which are now showing signs of cracking up.

Reg Rooke, aged 65, who is secretary of the Bidford branch of the Royal British Legion, was asked by other members of the legion to approach the parish council to try and get something done about it.

He said children have been playing on the war memorial, which is owned by the parish council, for some time.

"Children are using the war memorial as a play area, they should learn to respect it and the people who died fighting wars for this country. It's a shame because the parish council paid to have four names added on to the memorial last year, which had been omitted. It's not just the thought of the cost of replacing the slabs, but the thought that it's being damaged in the first place."

Bidford branch president Bert Leeson said he had tried to stop the skateboarders many times in the past, but only got abuse in return.

"You get a load of lip off them. It's a waste of time talking to them. They also leave litter lying around and stamp on the poppy boxes," he said.

"We have asked the police to keep an eye on the memorial whenever they can."

Bidford-on-Avon parish council clerk Elizabeth Kidner said: "We have resolved to talk to PC Peter Batacanin about it."