Residents came together to help clear graffiti from a war memorial site after it was targeted by vandals in a "disgusting" attack.
The memorial in Fulwell, Sunderland, is currently undergoing refurbishments after a community effort saw thousands of pounds raised.
It was however struck by vandals last week, who "tore up stones" and left graffiti at the site.
Specialist paving work was required to fix the damage left behind.
Conservative councillor Michael Hartnack branded the attack "disgusting" and called for it to be "fully investigated" by police.
He said: "After all the effort and support of the community on this key project to remember those who fought and died for our freedom, mindless vandals have yet again got to spoil things for everyone
"Words cannot describe how my colleague (Friends of Fulwell War Memorial) committee members and I are feeling right now.
"I’m grateful to the expert pavers, who are having to put in extra time and effort to put right the damage caused.
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Councillor Michael Hartnack and resident Nichola Austin-Ratcliffe helped to scrub the graffiti away from the site
|FACEBOOK/MICHAEL HARTNACK
"This disgusting attack on the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us and died defending this country should be fully investigated by the police."
The Sunderland Conservatives group said vandals had "left bottles" behind at the site.
"Councillor Michael Hartnack and the others in the Friends of Fulwell War Memorial group have been planning and securing funding for the restoration for months, the group wrote to social media.
"And vandals have come and tore up stones, left bottles and caused who knows how much damage under the cover of darkness."
The war memorial is currently undergoing renovation works
|Fulwell resident Nichola Austin-Ratcliffe helped to clear away graffiti left on a temporary structure placed around the memorial as part of its ongoing renovation.
She told the BBC: "I'm absolutely disgusted that it would happen in our area as we're such a close-knit community."
Works to renovate the site began last month and were expected to be completed on October 31.
Councillor Hartnack, who is also chair of the Friends of Fulwell War Memorial group, has pledged the project will still be finished in time for Remembrance Sunday in November.
The memorial was originally built in 1930.
It remembers 106 men who lost their lives during World War I.
Sunderland City Council said the vandalism was "utterly deplorable".
The local authority stated: "Given the wartime sacrifices remembered here and alongside the community and volunteers supporting these new memorial works, this vandalism and graffiti is utterly deplorable and shows a complete lack of respect and awareness for others."
Northumbria Police said it believes the attack took place between 6pm on Thursday, September 4, and 8am the following day.
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