AN INVERCLYDE family have been left heartbroken after a memorial put in place to remember their late parents was attacked by vandals.

Kelly Butterworth from Greenock has been left distraught after a tree outside her sister Michelle’s house in Bardrainney Avenue in Port Glasgow was damaged beyond repair.

The shocking attack happened on Wednesday afternoon.

The tree remembers their parents, Sheila Douglas and Brian McGowan, who they lost in 2017 and 2019.

Kelly, 30, said: “My dad bought the tree from Cardwell Garden Centre in December 2017 after we lost my mum to cancer in the November.

“They always went to Cardwell Garden Centre together and it was fitting to buy a tree from there.

“My mum was cremated and we didn’t have anything to visit so we put her ashes with the tree.

“We lost my dad suddenly in January of this year and we put his ashes there too.

“We never got over the loss of mum and then we lost dad suddenly.

"We were distraught and having the tree really helped.

“It was somewhere for us to remember them.”

The tree, which cost around £800 had been cemented into the ground, was not only a memorial for the family but was admired by many in the community as it lit up at night.

Every Christmas time it is adorned with decorations and visited by many.

Kelly said: “People always stop to admire it and it meant a lot to everyone in the family - it was somewhere for us to go for birthdays and anniversaries.

“Now outside the house feels so empty.

"It has ripped us apart that someone would vandalise it.

“Our worlds have been shattered again, we won’t get over it.

"It is disgusting and cruel and I want to know why someone would do that.”

Police are investigating while the family are in the process of saving up to replace the tree.

Kelly said: “When dad bought the tree it was one of only two, so we don’t even know if we will be able to replace it.

"We will try.

“We have left flowers and a statue where it was for the time being, but the plan is to replace it as soon as possible.

“My sister lives on a busy street and we believe it was vandalised in the afternoon, so we are hoping that someone saw something or might have dashcam footage that will help catch those responsible.

“I can’t fathom why someone would do something like that and I’d like to know why.”

Sergeant Jason Logsdon of Greenock police said: “Police are appealing for any information regarding a report of damage to a remembrance tree within a garden on Bardrainney Avenue in Port Glasgow on April 24 between 12pm and 12.30pm.

“This tree is of great personal importance to its owners and this kind of reckless behaviour causes unnecessary upset and distress.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.