Vandals have desecrated an historic ancient monument near Ulverston (Cumbria, England) for the second time in 12 months.  One of the standing stones of Birkrigg stone circle has been daubed with red paint.
     Last November four of the 12 stones which form an inner circle on the common were covered in paint. Paint had also been spattered on the grass, where a fire had also been lit.
     At the time it was thought GM crop protesters may have been responsible but Marianne Bennett, from South Lakeland Friends of the Earth, said activists are only pledged to dig up GM crops, not vandalise ancient monuments.
     The Bronze Age stone circle, on the south-eastern side of the common, comes under the protective care of English Heritage.

Source: North-West Evening Mail (29 September 2004)