VILE thugs have covered a memorial for hero Captain Sir Tom Moore in graffiti.

       The sculpture - a silhouette of the war veteran - was daubed with the word "IRA" using white spray paint.

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       Vile thugs have vandalised a memorial for Captain Tom Credit: BPM 4

       The hero died in February after raising ￡39m for the NHS Credit: PA

       Locals in Thistley Meadow in Hatton, Derbys, have been left sickened by the vandalism.

       Anthony Ball, chairman of the Dove Valley Community Project, told Debyshire Live: "What I don't understand is that you've got a small memorial remembering those who lost their lives, and a Tommy [from the Royal British Legion].

       "Why did they spray Captain Tom? What has he got to do with the IRA?

       "I was nearly physically sick when I saw it. Every day I do my walk, I walked around the corner, and I looked at it and was nearly physically sick.

       "I touched it with my hand thinking it was something that would just wipe off, and it was spray paint.

       "I could almost understand if someone sprayed a war memorial or a soldier, but not Captain Tom walking down the street.

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       "I had to get a bin bag and put it over Captain Tom, I couldn't leave him like that."

       The memorial has now been repaired after Austin Cox, whose engineering firm installed the monument, removing the paint for free.

       Captain Tom passed away in February aged 100 after a battle with Covid.

       In April last year he captured the hearts of the nation by starting a lockdown walk around his back garden with the help of a frame.

       After doing his first lap, son-in-law Colin promised him ￡1 per lap — and challenged him to do 100 before the day of his hundredth birthday.

       He eventually raised over ￡38.9million for the NHS — the most raised by one person ever — after completing his incredible feat.

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       The statue has been repainted Credit: Lewis Anderson, AGC Fabrications 4

       Captain Tom inspired the nation in lockdown

       David Beckham and Dame Judy Dench back Captain Sir Tom Moore ‘100 challenge’ on what would have been his 101st birthday