Joseph and Elizabeth Smith with family graves vandalised in Earlham Cemetery at New Year. Photo: Bill Smith

A family will have to fork out almost £30,000 to repair and replace graves vandalised at Earlham Cemetery in an attack over the new year.

Three graves at a family plot in the western area of the cemetery were attacked between 11am on Tuesday, January 1, and 10.45am on Wednesday, January 2.

Joseph Smith, whose uncle, father, grandfather and grandmother were buried in the three plots said a stonemason has quoted him £25,000 to £30,000 to repair the smashed angels and figurines which adorned the elaborate graves.

The angels were bought from Italy and although his uncle Levi’s grave was insured, his father’s and grandparents’ were not.

“It is just not an option,” he said. “The stonemason said my dad’s one wasn’t repairable.”

Two large angels and three smaller angels were broken in the attack.

Mr Smith, 56, a road contractor, has criticised Norwich City Council for not locking the cemetery gates overnight.

But the council said the cemetery was left open so people could visit their relatives over the new year.

Photos of the smashed up angels in the Evening News provoked widespread anger.

Police described the vandals as “heartless” and the Evening News is offering a £500 reward for information which leads to a conviction.

Readers have also offered an extra £100 for information which leads to a conviction.

Mr Smith is also offering a substantial reward for information which leads to convictions.

Anyone with information or any witnesses should contact officers at Earlham Police Station on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.