CRUEL vandals have trashed a baby's grave shortly after the anniversary of her death.

The thugs, who scattered flowers and stole lights from the headstone of Philippa Lisha Canwell, have been described as "evil" by her mother.

Lisa Blanchard, 32, of South Bank, Middlesbrough, was devastated when she found the damaged plot in the children's section of Eston Cemetery.

"How anyone can take something from a grave, never mind a baby's grave, is beyond me," she said.

"I can't understand what they get out of it."

Baby Philippa was stillborn in March last year.

Miss Blanchard, who is five months pregnant with her third child, said: "It was all too much.

"They stole solar lights I'd put there to brighten the place up and had also taken flowers off the stone."

The incident, believed to have happened between Thursday night and Friday, has shocked the family.

Ann Canwell, Lisa's mother-in-law, said: "It was a difficult time anyway for Lisa with the anniversary of the death, but this just makes things a million times worse."

Lisa's partner, Philip Canwell, 30, said it was not the first time vandals have attacked the grave.

The electrician said in recent months ornaments and keepsakes have gone missing from the plot.

"We both couldn't believe that someone would be capable of doing something like this," he said.

"These people are idiots. They must have known that there were children buried in that part of the cemetery."

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on 01642-326326 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.