VANDALS spray painted Nazi swastikas on a war memorial just 24 hours before Remembrance Day, it has emerged.

They targeted the memorial in Blackrod at the cemetery in Manchester Road on Tuesday, November 10.

The graffiti was discovered shortly before 10am and Bolton Council removed it within an hour.

Kevin McGuire, a British Legion representative for Greater Manchester, said: “These vandals have desecrated a war memorial where people have given their lives so we can live in a free country.

“It is people’s civic responsibility to come forward with information because someone must know who has done this and they need to be brought to book.

“I would like to thank the council for removing it so quickly because it would have caused great upset to friends and family who suffered a loss during any war.”

Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, executive member for cleaner, greener, safer, said: “The graffiti on Blackrod War Memorial was despicable, especially just before Armistice Day, and has no place in our society.

“Fortunately, council officers acted quickly to remove it from the memorial before more residents witnessed it and were upset by it. In any case, graffiti is an act of vandalism and an eyesore to our community.”

The incident is being investigated by the police. Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 5689.