A HEARTBROKEN daughter has said it feels like she has buried her mum all over again after vandals set fire to a gravestone at a cemetery.

Devastated Elizabeth Hamilton, from Pollok, said the cruel act of vandalism has been felt by two families with three people buried within the plot at St Conval’s Cemetery in Barrhead.

The family discovered the grave, which is in section eight of the cemetery, had been set alight on Monday and have contacted police to catch those responsible. The family also said they believe the act of vandalism was a targeted attack.

The double plot is the final resting place for Elizabeth’s husband Billy Hamilton who died in 1992 aged 31. Her mother Elizabeth Percy, who died at 86 in 2009 is buried next to her husband. Her partner Gerry McDaid is also buried in the plot, after he died at 72 from a broken heart, weeks after Elizabeth in 2009.

Daughter Elizabeth said: “You have no idea how heart-breaking it is. I am burying my mum all over again.

She added: “There was beer bottles smashed all around the grave, they smashed the photo, and destroyed ornaments and other things before they set the grave alight.”

The heartless thugs set the grave alight causing permanent damage to Elizabeth and Gerry’s stone. A stonemason told the family it will have to be replaced.

Billy’s stone also incurred smoke damage and flower pots were missing, although the family have managed to clean it up.

To add to the pain, the family have also seen an image of the grave on fire on the social media website Facebook.

Mother-of-six Elizabeth, who visits the grave every week, said: “I get comfort going to the grave every week, as I feel I am with the two of them.”

The heartbroken granddaughter of Gerry also spoke of the effect the vandalism has had on her family, especially her mother who visits her grandfather’s grave every week.

Shelly McArthur, from Cambuslang, said: “It makes you think about people’s morals. We are in shock because it is so sickening to think anyone could do that.

“My grandad and Elizabeth were two people who never harmed anyone, and this has made me sick to the stomach.

“I haven’t been able to sleep since I found out and I keep asking why has it happened.”

Elizabeth said the staff at St Conval’s Cemetery have been very supportive to her family since the incident.

She said: “I want to thank the staff including George Rooney at St Conval’s Cemetery who have looked after me over the years.

“They are brilliant, and go above and beyond.

“I also received so many messages of support for members of the public on Facebook and I want to thank them too.”

A spokesman for the Diocese of Paisley said: “This is a most distressing situation for the family involved. Nothing like this has ever occurred before in the cemetery, and we hope and pray that this is a one-off incident.”

The family have pleaded for anyone with

information about the vandalism to come forward by contacting Police Scotland on 101.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police were called around 11.25pm on Monday, January 8 to report of damage to a grave within St Conval’s cemetery in Barrhead.

“Police enquiries are continuing.”