LOOTERS have stolen nearly £2,000 worth of Portland stone flagstones from a memorial for miners who died in a 1960 pit explosion.

The monument in Six Bells is dedicated to all miners who died in the colliery there, including 45 in the underground explosion on June 28, 1960. The memorial was unveiled in August 1995.

Six Bells councillor Denzil Hancock expressed the community's anger over the lack of respect for the monument and the expense incurred.

He said: "It's a sign of the times. People have no respect.

"The flagstones have been stolen before - but never this many. It's very annoying as we have a memorial service once a year and people come from all over the UK, so we have to replace them."

He believes the thieves made off in a car, although a number-plate recorded by a witness did not show up on police records. Gwent Police are now investigating the theft.

Councillor Jim Watkins said the theft was more serious than previous vandalism, and estimated the cost at nearly £2,000.

He said: "Before, it was just children who would pick up the stones and leave them somewhere else.

"This time someone has come in a car and stolen a number of them."

Patrick Byrne, 85, of High Street, Six Bells, was instrumental in lobbying to have the memorial built and was given £20,000 for the purpose.

"It's shaped like a pithead," he said. "And it's dedicated to all the miners who died in the explosion at Six Bells colliery in 1960, and all those who died there before and after."

A miner for 31 years, he was involved in the rescue efforts following the explosion. Mr Byrne said: "Six Bells colliery was founded in 1886 and only shut in 1988. Hundreds of people must have died in that time, and it's important to remember them.

"Of course it annoys me, but there's nothing you can do."

*In the picture: Councillor Jim Watkins at the Six Bells colliery monument