Vandals who trashed the graves of a child and a soldier are being hunted by police.

Headstones were 'significantly' damaged and personal items stolen from the graves at Gidlow Cemetery in Standish, Wigan .

According to police, decorative lanterns were also set alight, and the families of the deceased have been left 'immensely distressed' by the callous vandalism.

It’s thought the graves were targeted at some point between Monday, June 20, and Monday, June 27, and officers are now working with the council to find those responsible.

GMP Wigan West posted an appeal on Facebook asking anyone with information to get in touch.

It read: “Vandals have targeted headstones in Gidlow Cemetery Standish. Two reports have been made to the police of the damage to headstones in the cemetery, one in particular a soldier’s and a child’s headstone.

“However it is believed there could be more. The headstone has a significant amount of damage reaching the extent of decorative lanterns being set alight and personal items stolen.

“This has understandably caused immense distress within the family and we are taking this seriously, we need to find the culprits, so we’re appealing to the community for help in identifying them. If you suspect who may be involved then please call us.”

Paul Barton, assistant director for Environmental Services at Wigan Council, said: “We are shocked and saddened by the acts of vandalism that have occurred in the cemetery and are currently liaising with police and the families concerned that we have been able to contact.

“We are working with colleagues who manage CCTV coverage to identify ways to find the person responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.