THIEVES who stole part of a memorial to pupils killed in a tragic minibus accident have been urged to return the piece - no questions asked.

Outraged townsfolk said raiders cut through steel bands to take the "irreplaceable" carved panel from the Hagley RC High School pupils' memorial in the Senses Garden, Brinton Park, Kidderminster.

John Gordon, who was district council chairman when the youngsters died in the horrific crash on the M40, said "I just can't imagine why someone would want to do this.

"That time was very, very harrowing. The Senses Garden was a wonderful memorial to the children who died. This is a horrific act.

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

Twelve youngsters and a teacher 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.

The memorial garden was instigated by the district council and the Kidderminster Shuttle/Times and News, a sister paper of the Evening News, and dedicated, not only to the memory of the Hagley youngsters, but to all children who had died.

Local builders, landscape architects and plant experts gave their services for free.

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

Chris Conner, district council parks development officer, described the theft, on Sunday, May 20, as a "tragedy", and appealed to those responsible to return it safely.

"I can't believe anyone would be selfish enough to steal it," he said.

"It's a tragedy and I would appeal to anybody who knows anything about this to rectify the situation immediately."

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," he added.

Cather 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."