A STOLEN vehicle ploughed through fencing into a cemetery, destroying more than ten headstones marking the graves of soldiers and members of their families.

The Land-Rover Discovery careered through a wooden fence, uprooting a tree and mowing down the gravestones before coming to a halt in the cemetery at Hipswell on the edge of Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

The driver then reversed, knocking over several more headstones, before fleeing from the scene by smashing through locked iron gates at the entrance to the cemetery.

Garrison quartermaster Major Dave Jarratt said he was shocked by the scene of devastation left by the stolen vehicle.

"Families and relatives who have loved ones buried in the cemetery will be deeply disturbed and upset by the consequences of the accident and my main priority is to ensure they are fully informed of the circumstances," he said.

"The destruction of the headstones is almost total. It was an horrendous sight and I feel deep, deep regret for the families and friends.

"I call upon anyone who witnessed the accident or who has any information which could help the police to come forward. It could really help to ease the pain of the families involved."

The Army declined to identify names of the families, indicating it may take some time to trace those who no longer live at the garrison.

However, a spokesman confirmed two of the headstones marked the graves of children.

The Land-Rover is believed to have been stolen from a house on La Basse Road in Catterick Garrison just after 1am yesterday.

The owner was woken by his dog barking and, when he went to investigate, found an intruder had entered the back garden, forced his way into the house, then stolen the keys to the vehicle.

The registration number of the missing green Land-Rover was yesterday confirmed by police as M630 MRU. Anyone who has seen the vehicle or who thinks they may know who is responsible is asked to contact police immediately.

Witnesses can call the North Yorkshire force on (01609) 783131 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.