COFFINS have been broken open by vandals in a Kent churchyard, it has been revealed.

The yobs opened up a family vault in St Lawrence Churchyard at Ramsgate last Thursday and crawled into it, before removing lids from the coffins to reveal their contents. Kent Police are investigating the incident.

The vault has now been bricked up by Thanet council and vegetation is to be cleared at the site to help prevent future attacks.

Cllr Roger Latchford, Cabinet member for Commercial Services, said: "Those who sink to breaking into coffins really are the lowest of the low and it is unbelievable that we are now witnessing crimes like this.

"I know that there have been concerns about the work that’s been done at this churchyard previously to cut trees back because of the potential loss of habitats for birds.

"But public safety and minimising distress to people’s relatives has to be our top priority."