VANDALS have caused heartbreak and thousands of pounds worth of damage after they overturned a dozen headstones.

They have targeted Ormesby Road Cemetery over the last two weeks destroying or damaging the graves.

Middlesbrough council cemetery staff reported vandalism to Cleveland Police who are searching CCTV footage looking for the culprits.

One of the large granite crosses which has been damaged costs around £2,000, and a rough estimate from a stonemason puts the total cost to repair or replace the headstones at around £14,000.

Coun Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for community safety, said: "The expense of the repairs is nothing compared to the heartache caused by this vandalism.

"The council is working closely with the police to try and identify the culprits and we have handed over CCTV footage in the hope that it will help find them."

Police are appealing for anyone with any information about the vandalism to contact PC Rich Davison at Middlesbrough Police on 01642-303126 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.