YOBS tore up wreaths following a Battle of Britain remembrance service.

The “disgusting” incident happened after more than 80 adults and 60 children had gathered at Howard Park, off Rectory Road, Pitsea, for Sunday’s ceremony.

The service paid tribute to those who had fought against the Nazis in the skies above Britain 75 years ago.

Rev Simon Law, from nearby St Gabriel’s Church, who led the service, later heard flowers and leaves had been ripped off the poppy wreaths and left strewn across the grass.

Rev Law said: “I was very angry when I first heard what had happened.

I am totally disgusted. It’s very upsetting to see that people can be so disrespectful.

“It is so disrespectful and put a dampener on what had been a lovely day. We were really pleased we’d had such a good turnout.

“We put on this service every year, and nothing like this has ever happened before.”

Second World War hero Don Sheppard, 95, of Methersgate, Basildon, believes the younger generation need to be taught more about the history if their country.

He said: “It’s just disgraceful.

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough respect like there is in other countries such as France and Holland.

The younger generation just don’t seem to understand the importance of remembrance events such as this. I just hope the police do something about this.”

St Gabriel’s Church hosts a service every year to remember the Battle of Britain, where more than 500 British and Allied pilots died in a bid to stop the Nazis gaining air supremacy over the English Channel.

A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating after poppy wreaths laid at a war memorial in Howard Park, Pitsea, were destroyed. They were damaged sometime between 11.15am and 7.30pm on Sunday, September 20.”

Anyone with information can call Basildon police station on 101.