YOBS are using a mass grave and memorial in Darfield All Saints churchyard as a den for night time drinking and vandalism, say the Rector of Darfield and a councillor.

Profane graffiti has been scribbled over inscriptions on the recently cleaned Lundhill pit explosion memorial. The bodies of 146 men and boys killed are buried there.

Coun Ron Fisher said: “It is sickening to think that someone would deface a monument in that way. The graffiti is offensive and obscene and needs to be removed as soon as possible.”

The area around the obelisk is littered with beer, bottles, tops and boxes.

Sgt Phil Jenkins said: “Youths in Wombwell and Darfield know if we see them with alcohol we’ll take it off them.

“They go somewhere out of the way to drink it. The churchyard is one of a few hotspots we are aware of and our team include it in the regular beat.”

Rev Neil Redyoff finds the situation very frustrating. The four-acre yard has a public right of way through it. He says several graves have been deliberately damaged.

“I find it very sad that these people, whoever they might be, would want to write something on a monument like that.

“I ask myself how would they feel if someone did that to a grave of their relative.”

The task of removing the offending words lies with the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Martin Kenworthy, tasking officer, said: “We have tried to remove it but our cleaning fluids have not been strong enough.

“We are trying again this week but we have to be careful. We don’t want to damage the memorial by using something we shouldn’t.”