Vandals have burned more than half the wreaths laid by the Burton Latimer War Memorial on Remembrance Day. The town's Royal British Legion president Mr AJD Peck said: "Whoever did this displays ignorance. It is a despicable thing to do and can only bring shame on themselves and their families. It may be that their own families have sacrificied in the last war and they would do well to remember that. I am disgusted."

The memorial itself was also scorched. Insp John Towell of Kettering Police said the incident took place early on Wednesday evening and he appealed for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious to get in touch.

Mrs Magaret Heels, the town's Poppy Day organiser, said: "I am very hurt. We work very hard for the poppy appeal and to think these people could do things like this is unbelievable."

Cllr Albert Morby, chairman of the town council, said: I m disgusted. It is a terrible thing to do. The turn out at the service was very good and I thought youngsters were beginning to take an interest in it."