THE theft of part of a public memorial to pupils killed in a tragic minibus accident more than seven years ago has been greeted by universal shock and outrage.

Raiders armed with tools cut through steel bands to remove the central carved panel of the memorial in the Senses Garden, Brinton Park, Kidderminster, some time on Sunday, May 20. Wyre Forest park ranger Graham Timmins surveys the damaged memorial in the Senses Garden, Brinton Park, Kidderminster, whose central panel has been stolen. The garden and sculpture were dedicated to 12 Hagley RC High School pupils who died in a minibus crash seven years ago.

The district council has ruled out vandalism as a motive for the theft of the panel which has been described as 'irreplaceable' by the artist who created it.

John Gordon, who was district council chairman when pupils from Hagley RC High School died in an horrific crash on the M40, said: "I just cannot imagine why someone would want to do this.

"I remember that time, as everyone does, as very, very harrowing. The Senses Garden was a wonderful memorial to the children who died. I just think this is a horrific act."

He added: "It must be absolutely devastating for the relatives of the children involved and my sympathies go out to them."

In all, 12 youngsters and a teacher from the school lost their lives in 1993 when their minibus crashed into a stationary lorry on the M40 as they travelled back from a schools prom in London.

Five of the children killed were from Wyre Forest.

The memorial garden project was instigated by the district council and the Shuttle/Times & News and dedicated, not only to the memory of the Hagley youngsters, but to all children who have died.

Local builders, landscape architects, plant experts and others involved in creating the memorial garden gave their services for free.

Ted Hammond, headteacher of Hagley RC High School, said: "I am very disappointed and distressed to hear of the theft of something which means so much to so many people."

Chris Conner, parks development officer for the district council, described the theft as a "tragedy" and appealed to those responsible to return it safely.

"A lot of people will be very upset when they discover what has happened. I cannot believe anyone who understands the significance of this would be selfish enough to steal it.

"It is a tragedy and I would appeal to anybody who knows anything about this to rectify the situation immediately," he added.

He said tools must have been used to remove the panel which was fixed to the ground on a steel spike and secured by steel bands.

"Someone has deliberately gone equipped to do this and take it away. If it was vandalism we would have found the panel lying around the park," he added.

Catherine O'Kell, the renowned local artist who carved the memorial, said the panel would be impossible to replace due to the age of the wood.

Mr Conner added: "We probably wouldn't look to prosecute as long as it was returned safely.

"Anyone with information could get in touch with local police or the council, or even return it to the park where we could find it and return it to its rightful place."