VETERANS are furious after graffiti was daubed on walls opposite a war memorial - just days before the launch of their poppy appeal.

Members of the Royal British Legion in Loudwater say they have been hit by a spate of vandalism at their club, including finding graffiti on the walls of their Queensmead Road building on Wednesday.

A section of guttering had also been broken off and left on the grass, while the bench next to the memorial has had names and words scratched into it.

The club has had problems in the past with groups of kids hanging around on the grass near the bench, but this is the first time graffiti has been sprayed on the building.

Bob Higgins, vice chairman of the Bucks British Legion, said: "It's very upsetting. What they're doing is very hurtful, and very disrespectful to those people that laid down their lives.

"We want youngsters to understand what it's all about and the great deed we owe to our forces. It's vitally important today, with youngsters in Iraq and Afghanistan, as we hear every week, are laying down their lives."

Mr Higgins added that the legion had been working with children to explain the importance of Remembrance Day to them.

Peter Rolt, who organises the Poppy appeal at Loudwater, agreed that children should be told what the day means. He said: "They tell me now some schools are teaching them about remembrance. I think they're beginning to realise.

"I know they have that trouble down there. It's a bit naughty this time of year."