A couple of women in Lincolnshire have come under fire for scraping their names into wet cement underneath a new memorial bench commemorating First World War heroes.

Photos published last week show the pair as they spelt out 'Shell' and 'Jane' beneath the bench in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, while two children who are believed to be their kids watched on.

The women made their mark just hours after the memorial was unveiled on 18 February to mark the First World War Centenary, despite the area clearly being taped off.

Credit: Facebook/Horncastle Community Page

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The metal bench itself contains a section in the shape of soldiers and a warhorse bowing their heads next to poppies, alongside the iconic words 'Lest we forget'.

A number of pictures were quickly shared on the Horncastle Community Page on Facebook, one of which was a close-up of the aftermath alongside the caption: "Only yesterday they were putting this bench in, already being spoilt by some idiot."

According to the Metro, police have already quizzed one mum in relation to the incident and are continuing to investigate to find out who's responsible.

Credit: Facebook/Horncastle Community Page

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In the meantime, many angry locals have taken to social media to share their disdain for the women, demanding that they should be responsible for cleaning up the mess.

One woman wrote: "I cant believe adults would graffiti a War memorial! I assumed it would be children who just did not understand the significance. I'm appalled," while another raged: "You have to see this to believe it, complete disregard to our old soldiers, and wonderful town. Have the perpetrators been reported to the police? They should pay for the damage."

A third commenter added: "Perhaps she should do some community service for some of the veterans, and hear their stories of what they fought for so that we have what we have today. Educate the uneducated!"

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And it wasn't just the locals who were less than impressed. Horncastle mayor Brian Burbidge also offered his thoughts on the incident, sharing his disappointment.

"I can only hope those responsible will learn to appreciate that the bench was placed there to commemorate the sacrifices made by so many during the First World War," he told the Sun.