A woman is hoping to raise funds to buy CCTV to thwart vandals who have disturbed her infant son’s grave in a Willesborough cemetery.

Leeann Holland has contacted Ashford Borough Council enquiring about the chances of securing cameras for the Church Road cemetery after her son’s and her stepfather’s grave bore the marks of vandals’ handiwork.

But anticipating a problem with funding, she is ready to galvanise support to raise the necessary cash.

She said: "My aim is go and find all the people who work in big business here and see if we can have CCTV in the cemetery."

Her determination stems from her distress at seeing the grave of her son - who died at birth only a year ago - disturbed.

She said: "They removed a hook from my son’s grave and a lantern from my stepfather’s headstone.

"In the past year, they took one person’s beautiful long vase and they took about four slabs from my stepfather’s grave. They were heavy. You would have needed a strong man or two people to carry one.

"A year before they smashed a child’s grave."

She added: "It’s bad enough when you take from adults’ graves, but to take from a child’s grave - some people are really heartless."

Anyone who can help Ms Holland can contact her on blackcats75@hotmail.co.uk

Paul Jackson, head of environmental services at Ashford Borough Council said: "We know that it is very upsetting for relatives to experience vandalism to the memorials of their loved ones and we have every sympathy for Ms Holland.

"We are looking into the situation but cannot say at this point whether placing a CCTV camera in the vicinity is appropriate or viable. We will be responding to Ms Holland in due course."

He added: "In the meantime, we strongly advise not to undertake any fund-raising.

"We have also been speaking to our partners at Ashford police. They are looking at providing an increased presence in the area."