A TERMINALLY-ill mother has spoken of her grief after her 10-year-old son's grave was targeted by vandals.

Mandy Jackson, who is suffering from cancer, said she had been devastated when told the grave in Norton cemetery had been vandalised, with flowers and other items thrown nearby.

Her son, Ben Bingham, died at the family home in Norton four years ago from a heart condition.

Mandy, 44, who has three other sons, said: "I was horrified when I found out that vandals had targeted Ben's grave - how could someone do that to any grave, let alone a child's.

"Losing Ben was a devastating blow to all the family. Ben was such a lovely little boy - words cannot describe how much he is missed.

"This is a very difficult time for us and I cannot bear to think that this could happen to my son's resting place."

Mandy's husband Simon, who has since contacted Norton Town Council asking for CCTV cameras to be installed at the cemetery, said he had been shocked by what had happened.

"I went straight to the cemetery to clear it up. This is the last thing we need at a time like this," he said.

"People should learn some respect. I have reported it to the police and also asked the town council to consider putting up cameras to prevent this happening again to us or anyone else.”

Keeley Branch, who also lives in Norton, said she had been walking through the cemetery with her husband and family when she had spotted the damage.

"I went straight round to tell Mandy and Simon," she said. "I have four children and couldn't stop crying. I was so upset about what has happened. It is so heart-breaking that someone could do this.

"I took a plant to Ben's grave the day after it was damaged in an attempt to make it right for them and I've been checking on the grave, pretty much every day since it happened and letting them know it's okay.

"They just need piece of mind now that it won't happen again, so we are going to try our hardest to push for cameras to catch those who are doing these things."

Norton Town Council is to invite Ryedale police inspector Andy Short to their next meeting to discuss the issue.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Clearly this is heart-breaking for the family involved and is very hard to understand why anyone would do such a thing."

Anyone who has any information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Malton police. Please quote reference number 12160149000.