A memorial dedicated to World War One soldiers has been targeted by bigoted vandals who daubed pro-IRA graffiti over its walls. 

Sectarian graffiti appeared on the Coatbridge cenotaph dedicated to World War I soldiers in the town's Bank Street, in North Lanarkshire. 

Hooligans defaced the site with Republican slogans reading 'PIRA' 'IRA and 'provos' in white paint across the hundreds of fallen soldiers' names listed on the plaque. 

The year of the Easter Rising, 1916, has also been scrawled across the memorial. 

The WWI memorial stands on the corner of Bank Street and Blair Road, adjacent to Langloan Primary School. 

Two stone plaques erected beside the memorial to remember WW2 soldiers remained untouched. 

Police believe the incident took place late on Monday night. 

The vandalism has sparked outrage amongst residents who noticed the sickening slogans. 

Glasgow Times:

One resident, who does not want to be named, shared his disgust after spotting the graffiti while out jogging. 

He said: "I was out my evening run which takes me past the cenotaph when i noticed it had been vandalised. 

"Every man, woman and child in Coatbridge will have a family member representented on the memorial."

"I hope whoever done it reads about it and understands how it makes people feel."

Another resident who shared pictures of the sickening display has high hopes police will catch the vandals.

He said: "The paint looks like thick road paint. The graffiti will have taken some time, and on one of the busiest roads in Coatbridge, hopefully someone will have seen the culprit. 

There is no CCTV near the memorial, but hopefully residents can help identify the vandals."

Councillor Julie McAnulty, who represents the Coatbridge North and Glenboig ward, said: "This was a disgusting and disrespectful act of vandalism. I hope that the perpetrators are caught soon."

Police Scotland confirmed they had received reports of vandalism at the site of the memorial and will be contacting residents in a bid to trace those involved. 

Inspector Louise Brownlie said today: “We have received several reports of vandalism at the Coatbridge Cenotaph. This senseless act has no place in our community and we are continuing to trace the persons responsible. That area is a priority route for our dedicated community policing teams and we will continue to engage with local residents on this issue.

Our partners at North Lanarkshire Council will shortly be removing the graffiti from the Cenotaph. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact officers at Coatbridge via 101."