The community has rallied to brighten up a war memorial that was scorched by vandals.

Flowers have been laid in place of a wreath that was set on fire at the Cenotaph in Whitehaven.

A police investigation was launched after the blaze caused damage to the memorial at Castle Park, which honours the town’s war dead.

The Royal British Legion wreath had been set alight and due to it being made of plastic had stuck to the cenotaph.

Chris Hayes, mayor of Whitehaven, who lives near Castle Park, said it was "lovely" to see the community come together in response to the "shocking" incident.

Mr Hayes said a plea had been posted on social media for people to leave flowers at the monument.

"The amount of people leaving bunches of flowers is lovely," he said.

"I think people were disgusted at what had happened. It was a shock.

"People have been walking past and stopping to pay their respects. It brings the community together.

"I've got to say a big thank you to a local PCSO who came down with a big bucket of warm soapy water to wipe it down.

"Within hours, it was cleaned. There's a couple of little scorch marks but I don't think there's any serious damage. We'll get it checked out to be on the safe side.

"We have tried to get a new wreath but getting hold of them at this time of year is hard."

The damage is suspected to have taken place between July 19-21.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log 94 of July 21.