LOCAL people must get together to plan repairs to a battlefield memorial disfigured by vandals near Northallerton, it was said this week.

The 12ft high sandstone obelisk at the side of the A167 road to Darlington, three miles outside Northallerton, has marked the site of the 12th century Battle of the Standard since it was erected in 1913. It is not a listed structure but it appears in the national register of historic battlefields.

Vandals believed to be seeking metal they could sell for scrap have now removed the bronze and copper plaque describing the battle, damaging the stonework on the obelisk as they did so.

Money for the obelisk, which cost £26 and was built by local builder Mr Dan Oakley, was raised by public subscription by Northallerton banker Mr W S Charlton from leading figures in the town, Brompton and even farther afield. The plaque was the work of Mr Charles Fowler.

Local authorities have so far failed to establish whether any individual or organisation claims ownership of the memorial or should be responsible for its restoration.

Mr Mick Riordan, the official Northallerton historian, said: "It was paid for by public subscription but who takes responsibility for repairs is another matter.

"There needs to be a discussion between councils and local groups with an interest in history. It is to be hoped that the people's representatives will take this on board.

"The public subcription was a major thing in the town at the time and there are a lot of people on the list who still have relatives living.

" This has been wanton, almost unbelievable, damage to something which is part of the heritage of the area. The obelisk is often visited and I have had lots of queries about it.

"It has needed repair for some time because it has been defaced by people putting their initials on it. It is so isolated that it has no protection."