A COUNCIL has agreed to pay for vandalised headstones in a cemetery in Hebburn to be repaired.

South Tyneside Council stepped in after after vandals badly damaged dozens of graves at Hebburn Cemetery.

Northumbria Police launched an appeal for information tracking down the criminals whose callous actions have left relatives of those buried at the site distraught.

Around 25 graves were trashed, ornaments were stolen and the area was left strewn with litter and dog mess.

The council say they want to help ease the distress of families affected by the vandalism.

Cllr Moira Smith, lead member for area management and community safety at South Tyneside Council, said: "Under normal circumstances, families are responsible for the upkeep of headstones. "However, we recognise how extreme and upsetting these incidents have been for loved ones.

"As a gesture of goodwill, we have arranged for a stonemason to restore the headstones at the council’s expense on this occasion.

“We hope this will go some way towards easing the distress of the families affected.

"We would urge anyone who may have information about these incidents to contact Northumbria Police.”