by Helen Fairley

A large anvil shaped gravestone has been stolen from a Headcorn graveyard.

The stone, which was placed in the graveyard of St Peter and St Paul Church in tribute to former village blacksmith George Laker, was taken at some point between October 24 and October 31.

PCSO Siobhán de Búrca, the local officer for Headcorn, said: “This is a despicable theft, desecrating what is a historic monument in the Headcorn village and we will be using all methods to bring the offenders responsible to justice."

The stones is around 3ft wide by 2ft 6ins high and made of limestone. As it is extremely heavy it is believed that a vehicle was used to transport it.

Raymond Sadler, the church warden, said: “It is so very sad that offenders would steal a gravestone, which has significant historical interest to the people of Headcorn, but is of little intrinsic value elsewhere."