‘Mindless vandals’ have smashed a war memorial plaque to pieces in the grounds of a Warley chapel.

The plaque was in a memorial rose bed at The Chapel of The Royal Anglian Regiment and Essex Regiment to remember nine soldiers from the regiment that were killed in Afghanistan in 2007.

The damage to the plaque, which was made from plastic resin and had white lettering, was discovered on Friday, March 3.

Major Tony Jones, at the chapel, said: “This is just mindless vandalism. It is sad for the families of the fallen. It also makes you feel sad for the people who have done this.”

He said they have received generous offers from people who wanted to donate money to help replace the plaque and he is in the process of getting costings and another plaque made.