NEW Year's Eve celebrations in Haslemere were marred by a "disgusting" act of vandalism on the town's war memorial.

A 20-year-old man caused £2,000 worth of damage to the memorial after ignoring police and climbing to the top.

As the memorial began to sway under his weight, the stone cross at the top plummeted to the ground, breaking in two.

The central column fractured and was left leaning precariously to one side.

The man fell 20 feet to the ground, breaking an ankle and receiving cuts and bruises.

He was immediately arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing criminal damage and spent the night in a cell at Farnham Police Station.

An eye witness said that between 150 and 200 people had gathered at the memorial shortly after midnight. Several youngsters began to climb the monument, but came down when told to do so by police.

The vandalism has provoked widespread condemnation from the community including the chairman of Haslemere's Royal British Legion, Les Cobbett. He has called for greater protection of the memorial.

"What has happened is absolutely disgusting.

"I often see young people sitting around on it, drinking there and it isn't right.

"When we have a big celebration in the town like New Year's Eve, or any other kind for that matter, we should really think about fencing it off from the public so that it isn't always exposed to this kind of thing."

Haslemere Town Mayor Michael Foster said the action of the revellers was "disgraceful".

He was also concerned for the safety of people near the war memorial.

He described the area as looking "like a war zone".

Last Friday, town clerk Mike O'Neill taped off the area around the memorial to ensure the unstable column was not a danger to the public and arranged for work to begin on the listed memorial as soon as possible. A stonemason began repair work on Tuesday, inserting a new central pin to support the main pillar. By Tuesday lunchtime, the column was upright again. The broken cross was taken away for repair work.

Only two months ago, the memorial was officially recognised as a Grade Two listed monument and Haslemere Town Council has been considering spending £1,000 on enhancing its appearance, with new lettering for the names of those who fell during the two world wars.

This is not the first time the memorial has been attacked. The original 1922 structure had to replaced 10 years ago following vandalism.

Town councillor James Mackie said: "It was replaced by the family of the person who did it, but the replica was never quite the same, although most people probably wouldn't notice the difference.

"I don't think the latest incident was malicious, just revelry that got out of hand, but it was awfully stupid to think that it could support a man's weight.

"I wouldn't want to see it fenced off because it's an integral part of the town.

"But we need to be more like France where monuments are treated with more respect.

"The person who did this needs to be properly punished and we need more police around."

His sentiments were echoed by former town mayor Christine Chapman.

"These heroes of our townsfolk paid the ultimate price in their fight for freedom, surely it is not too much to ask that those responsible should pay for the refurbishment of the memorial.

"Where, oh where, were the police that this could happen? Surely this must strengthen the argument for an increased police presence in the town."

Pc Ralph Swindell confirmed that four police officers were patrolling the town on foot on New Year's Eve. He added: "If people want to criticise, that's their prerogative."

The 20-year-old man was bailed to return to Haslemere police station on Thursday.