A book of condolence to the late Peter Rankin is now only available by request at the Town Hall reception after being vandalised.

Pages of heartfelt tributes hand-written by the people of Preston were ripped out.

Former councillor and council leader Peter Rankin passed away earlier this month after a six month fight with brain cancer.

The book had been due to be presented to his widow Lynn and his two daughters as part of his civic funeral service on Monday 25 June.

Read more: Details confirmed for Peter Rankin’s civic funeral

A spokeswoman for the city council said: “It’s with great sadness and frustration that we have to let you know that someone has vandalised the Book of Condolence in the reception area of Town Hall this afternoon (Tuesday), sometime between 1:30pm and 3pm. The police have been notified and the CCTV footage is being checked.

“Unfortunately a number of pages have had to be removed, and we would ask that anyone who did make an entry into the Book of Condolence either come back in and write another one, or submit one online.”

Anyone wanting to leave a physical tribute will now need to ask for the book at the Town Hall reception.