VANDALS who desecrated a grave left a skeleton on view in a city cemetery.
Police and council officers are investigating the vandalism at Northern Cemetery in Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull.
It is understood the grave held the body of a person buried in 1946.
The vandals are believed to have moved a concrete slab of a raised vault, creating a hole the skeleton could be seen in.
It was discovered by a man who was visiting a nearby grave with his wife and daughter.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: "You could see the skull and down to its shoulder bones just as you walked past it.
"It didn't bother me too much, but my daughter has been quite traumatised. She has had nightmares about it ever since.
"There were three paving flags, and one of them had been moved so you could see inside. The body hadn't been disturbed or anything, it could just been seen.
"My wife went and got one of the staff from the cemetery and they had a look and said it seemed suspicious."
The vault was irreparable and was removed by council staff.
The area has been recovered with soil.
Council staff have been attempting to contact the family of the deceased since the vandalism was discovered on November 28.
Andy Brown, city customer services manager at the council, said: "This is very distressing and upsetting for everybody involved, including those staff who acted immediately to make the area safe and respectful.
"We have informed Humberside Police in order to attempt to find those responsible.
"Our bereavement services team and local policing teams will continue to inspect the cemetery grounds and crematorium regularly to maintain safety and dignity.
"We urge any witnesses to this act of vandalism or other inappropriate behaviour at our cemeteries or crematorium to contact our bereavement services team."
Officers from Humberside Police are investigating the attack and are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information about the vandalism should call the council's bereavement services team on 01482 614976 or Humberside Police on 101.
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