Paul Mavin died in March, and was buried at the Chevington churchyard near his home at Hadston.

His parents, Ann and Kevin, along with relatives and friends, have made daily visits to the cemetery, laying flowers and ornaments while awaiting the arrival of his headstone.

But they were left horrified and heartbroken when a council groundskeeper contacted them yesterday morning with the shocking news that someone had destroyed their son's grave overnight.

Nine vases containing flowers, along with a crystal angel and two trophies won by Paul for pool and soccer, were smashed to pieces, while candle-lit lanterns and photos were also wrecked.

As the stunned couple surveyed the damage yesterday, Paul's brother Marc said the yobs responsible had sickened the whole family.

"Anybody who has a conscience has to come forward and name whoever is responsible," he said.

"To see what this has done to my mother and father is unbelievable.

"Paul has only been gone three months, and the family has suffered enough heartache, but this has brought all the pain back.

"There has to be one or more people out there who know who did this."

Northumbria Police has been called in to investigate, and is now forensically examining shards of the broken vases for any evidence.

Fighting back her grief, Mrs Mavin said: "The grave was fine at 10pm on Tuesday night.

"What they did was the lowest of the low.

"There's a young lad lying there, and they have done this. It has knocked us for six."

John Stoddart, manager of Alistair Turner Funeral Directors in Amble, who made the arrangements for Paul's burial, said: "I have never seen anything so disgusting.