A MEMORIAL for fallen soldiers  has been vandalised twice in a week. 

The Doric Temple in Patcham Peace Gardens, Brighton, has now had to be cordoned off and is in urgent need of structural repairs.

It was damaged on Sunday night and then smashed up again on Monday. 

Ward councillor Lee Wares said: “It is such a shame.

“The temple is part of the memorial purpose of the Peace Gardens and at a time when we will be remembering the fallen, this is sickening. 

“It’s hard to think of anything more disrespectful.

“It is so sad that the Doric Temple in Patcham Peace Gardens was vandalised. 

“Judging by the muddy footprints, somebody was very determined. 

“I met the council there this lunchtime to clear up and salvage as much of the stone as possible and have asked for the repairs to be done as  soon as possible. 

“It is hard to know if a second attempt to vandalise the temple at Patcham Peace Gardens happened or, because of the first attempt, the stone became loose and fell down. 

“Given the spread of the stone and how pieces were broken, it does look like somebody tried to finish the job. 

“The problem now is that parts of the temple are unsafe. 

“I met the council on site at about 9pm last night and the building inspector agreed that the temple needed to be fenced off to protect the public and try to prevent further damage. 

“The council has confirmed they are working on plans to repair the temple. 

“Geoffrey and  Carol Theobald and myself will work on ensuring the temple is restored.” 

In July, thieves tore up part of the war memorial garden and stole the paving slabs. 

An estimated £5,000 damage was caused to the Patcham Peace Garden, which is in  Old London Road, when  tonnes of heavy York stone paving slabs were dug up and removed.

The attack left the gardens in a total mess in the week of the 100-year centenary of the Battle of the Somme. 

The Peace Gardens were bought by the city council in 1928 and are thought to be a memorial to peace following the Great War of 1914-1918. 

Last year the gardens were awarded Fields in Trust status protecting them for ever.

Over the years, residents have carefully and lovingly, alongside the council, maintained the gardens.

Residents were outraged  by the latest damage. 

Michael Murray said: “It is so mindless. What can possibly motivate someone to destroy anything other than mindlessness?

“The city is becoming the sanctuary of the mindless.”