OLD soldiers are furious after flagpoles were stolen from the war memorial at the heart of Leigh town centre.

Royal British Legion Leigh branch chairman Bob Watson was walking to work at 5.30am on Tuesday when he discovered two of the four flagpoles had been ripped from the cenotaph masonry.

"What I think about the people who have done this is unprintable," said Mr Watson.

Ironically the memorial, which was erected almost 90 years ago, is due for a facelift before the November Remembrance Day service.

Livid World War 2 veteran Bert Paxford told the Journal: "How could anybody do such a thing to a monument in memory of all those who sacrificed their lives or were injured. The sick, cowardly, morons who did this should be caught and punished.

"With CCTV cameras covering the area hopefully that shouldn't be too much trouble."

A spokesman for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust who are responsible for the Church Street memorial gardens said: "The metal flagpoles probably disappeared overnight and we have informed the police and would urge anyone with any information to pass details to them.

"There were four poles for the Army, the Navy, The Air Force and the Union flags.

"The two on the Hope Street side have gone missing. Their scrap value would be very low but they will cost a lot more to replace."