A COUNCIL is calling for people to "show more respect" to the Sutton war memorial.

Parish councillors are upset that the memorial in Sutton Park is being climbed and ridden on by bicycles.

A ceremony was held in early August to celebrate the addition of a new plaque on the memorial which contains the names of 11 fallen First World War soldiers who were omitted when the memorial was unveiled in 1921.

According to a statement on the Sutton Parish Council website, "it has become considerably apparent that the war memorial is being abused by being climbed and even ridden on by bicycles.

"We believe every parent in this country has a duty to press home to their children, details regarding the level of sacrifice and suffering generations before them have had to endure to give them the freedom they have now."

In a bid to preserve the memorial and plaques, the parish council voted to install ornate metal posts and a chain around the memorial at a cost of around £1,000.

"The new plaque is slanted which has made it easier for bikes to ride up it," said Coun Ken Hart. "It's not a big problem, but it's getting worse. We need to get them to show more respect."