A rock garden created by village children to make lockdown more bearable has been targeted by vandals who have left abusive messages on some of the stones.
The community garden in Huncoat has over recent weeks, been targeted by people who police believe are disgruntled at the building of the Accrington Stanley Community Hub.
The abusive messages left on the stones comes after a recent incident in which the Hub became the target of vandals.
A spokesperson for the police said: "Over recent weeks abusive messages have been appearing written on stones in the rock garden on the pathway from Winterley Drive to Thorneyholme Road in Huncoat.
"This rock garden was created in May to lift the spirits of children in the area during lockdown.
"It is believed that the messages are aimed at Accrington Stanley Community Hub on Thorneyholme Road and its staff, and may be by local residents who are disgruntled at the building of the Hub."
READ: Time capsules and rock gardens - kids in Huncoat make coronavirus more bearable
Sergeant Nigel Hindle from Hyndburn neighbourhood policing team said: "We are aware of abusive messages being left on stones in the rock garden which are possibly linked to recent events where the Hub was targeted by a padlock being placed on the gates and nails left on the driveway.
"Such activity is totally unacceptable and has caused great upset to children visiting the rock garden, the people who set it up and the staff at the Hub.
"We are investigating these incidents and have been conducting door to door and CCTV enquiries.
"We have also increased patrols in the area."
Huncoat mum-of-one, Emma Zollner, came up with the idea of creating the 'Huncoat Rock Garden' to cheer the kids up during lockdown.
Miss Zollner, who has a son, Robert Bury, five, said: "On May 8, we went out to Spothouse Woods and chose a tree, made signs, took solar lights, painted five rocks and the rock garden was created."
Miss Zollner said the community wanted a place the children could visit and contribute rocks to knowing that they hopefully wouldn't go missing.
Anyone with information on the recent vandalism should contact the Hyndburn neighbourhood policing team direct by e-mail on: Hyndburn.NPT@Lancashire.pnn.police.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here