A GRIEVING Taunton family say they have been left ‘heartbroken’ after yobs shot at a memorial for the victims of the horrific M5 crash near Taunton.

As the second anniversary on the crash which claimed seven lives approaches, Tonia White, whose father died in the pile-up near junction 25, said the vandalism showed a “lack of respect”.

She said: “A lot of people at the time contributed to make the memorial happen and there are a small minority of people that do these stupid things.

“I just do not understand it – it is a nice and quiet area and I do not know why people feel the need to go there and do that. I went there to spend some quiet time and I was upset by it all.

“There is a real lack of respect for what has happened.”

Tonia and her husband Phil had gone to the memorial at Hankridge Farm, close to the motorway, to lay flowers to mark the birthday of Tonia’s father Tony Adams last week.

After leaving in disgust after seeing gun pellets in the memorial, Tonia and Phil returned this week to pick them out, only to realise the flowers and vase they had left had been removed.

Phil said: “You do not need things like that - we were heartbroken.

“It’s a disgrace and upsetting for those who go there to remember the loved ones they have lost.”

Tony and Pamela Adams were returning to their home in Newport after spending a few days in Taunton visiting Tonia and the family when they were killed during the crash.

The memorial was unveiled in November 2012 – one year on from the crash – and remembers the seven people killed in the horrific pile-up. The crash happened on November 4 at around 8.25pm and 51 people were injured alongside those who lost their lives.

Sergeant Huw Jenkins, Taunton urban and rural beat team, said officers been carrying out extra patrols in the area and said investigations into the damage was under way.

Any witnesses should call 101.