A TERMINALLY-ill mother was left heartbroken after her 10-year-old son’s grave was targeted by vandals.

Mandy Jackson, who is suffering from cancer, said she had been devastated when told the grave had been vandalised, with flowers and other items thrown nearby.

Her son, Ben Bingham, died at the family home in Norton, near Malton, four years ago from a heart condition.

Mandy, 44, who has three other sons, said: “I was horrified. How could someone do that to any grave, let alone a child’s?

“Losing Ben was a devastating blow to all the family. Ben was such a lovely little boy - words cannot describe how much he is missed.”

She added: “This is a very difficult time for us and I cannot bear to think that this could happen to my son’s resting place.”

Mandy’s husband Simon has since contacted Norton Town Council asking for CCTV cameras to be installed at the town’s cemetery and the council is to invite Ryedale police inspector Andy Short to their next meeting to discuss the issue.

A spokesman for the police said: “Clearly this is heart-breaking for the family involved and it is very hard to understand why anyone would do such a thing.”

Anyone who has any information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Malton police.