ABOUT 400 coping stones have been stolen from a wall in the old cemetery in Wivenhoe.

Members of Wivenhoe Town Council were dismayed to find the 100-year-old stones had been taken and believe it was a "done to order" job.

Town clerk Antoinette Stinson said the stones are irreplaceable.

She said: "They were hand made when the wall was put up about 100 years ago."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We would welcome information anyone has regarding this offence."