Heartless "low lifes" have taken two metal commemorative seats which marked one of Bradford's worst disasters.

The benches were stolen from a memorial site in West Bowling, where they had been placed in December 2002 to mark the 120th anniversary of the Newlands Mill disaster.

Three benches were sited, alongside a remembrance stone and plaque, 200 metres from the former mill, where 54 people, including children, lost their lives when a chimney collapsed on December 28, 1882.

The project was organised and funded by Bradford Trident.

Historian Alan O'Day Scott, who campaigned for the area to be marked, said he was appalled.

He said: "I think they have been taken for scrap or something like that. It is absolutely appalling, I can't believe it. This is a special place where people can sit in quiet contemplation.

"We campaigned for a memorial and now these low lifes have come along and destroyed it, it is disgusting."

The plaque was unveiled by the then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, and Maurice Lumb, a relative of one of these killed. Those who died included children and another 70 were hurt.

Mr Scott campaigned for the memorial after discovering reports of the disaster in the Telegraph & Argus.

The 5ft architectural monument, taken from the Bradford canal, was placed on the corner of St Stephen's Road and Gaythorne Road, 200 yards from the former mill's entrance on Ripley Street.

Judith Atkinson from Bradford Trident confirmed that the benches had been stolen.

She said: "I would like to say that West Bowling now has a low crime rate within the Bradford district and these are unusual circumstances."