A FLAG stolen from Chatteris war memorial after a remembrance day service will cost hundreds of pounds to replace. The Royal British Legion has accused those responsible of taking money away from ex-servicemen and their families and is appealing for the c

A FLAG stolen from Chatteris war memorial after a remembrance day service will cost hundreds of pounds to replace.

The Royal British Legion has accused those responsible of taking money away from ex-servicemen and their families and is appealing for the culprit to donate some money anonymously to help replace the Union Jack.

The flag was one of six placed securely on the memorial to represent the services and was wrenched from its pole.

Freda Aspinall, who lives in Chatteris and is President of the Cambridgeshire Women's Section of the Royal British Legion, said the flag would cost between £500 and £800 to replace.

She said: "Who ever did it obviously doesn't realise that the money needed to replace the flag would have gone to needy people who went to war to try and make the world a better place for them.

"Perhaps the person responsible would like to donate some money and take it to the Workingmen's Club and it will be passed on to us. How low can anyone get? It was probably a bit of fun to them but it is certainly not funny to us."

Three years ago vandals broke a flag pole but the standard was not damaged. This time the actual flag was ripped away from the pole.

Mrs Aspinall said: "I should think it is so badly damaged it would not be any use to us now."

Norman Lark who was Sunday's parade marshall and is Chairman of the Chatteris branch of the Royal British Legion, called the theft despicable.

He said: "I think it was a despicable thing to do. I know the old boys who took part will be very, very upset at what has happened.