Vandals have destroyed a cairn made of memorial stones which were more than 150-years-old.

The historic mound at St Michael and All Angels Church in Kingsnorth has now been transformed into a pile of rubble.

Canon Sheila McLachlan said the memorial stones had names, dates and inscriptions on them and had been used as a place of reflection.

She said: “People loved that area because it was a place of peace and tranquility.

“It is a great shame that some people felt the need to destroy the atmosphere of that area in a wanton act of vandalism.

“It is a great shame that some people felt the need to destroy the atmosphere of that area in a wanton act of vandalism." - Canon McLachlan

“I think people should be aware that this goes on because it’s distressing and it’s going to be distressing for a lot of people who come here.

“This is a church that belongs to the community of Kingsnorth and therefore the vandalism affects them.”

The stones were trashed and stolen between Monday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 24.

They were not of any value and Canon McLachlan said they may have been stolen to be used in a rockery.

A police spokesman said: “Police received a report at 4.15pm on Monday, September 29. Inquiries are ongoing.”