Several cherry trees bought by grieving families were broken, and newly planted flowers were ripped up, in the attack on the gardens on Wednesday night.

Crematorium staff arrived at work on Thursday to discover that floral tributes in memory of loved ones had also been scattered.

Councillor Ray Bloxham, who is responsible for bereavement services, said he was very angry at those who did it.

Iron railings

He said: "I cannot understand how anyone can gain anything at all from the damage they have created.

"This place should mean solitude and peace to an awful lot of people who have got relatives and loved ones buried here or who have been cremated here.

"If I could get my hands on them I would strangle them with my bare hands. I am so angry."

Railings are due to be installed along a section of the crematorium garden's boundary in the next few months.