FURIOUS councillors have hit out at "selfish" thieves who destroyed part of Haworth's heritage by stealing dozens of Yorkshire stone flagstones.

The thick, heavy slabs had formed the surface of a well-used footpath between Weaver's Hill Car Park and the Haworth Parish Church graveyard.

Their removal has left behind many exposed patches of earth for walkers to negotiate.

Visitors and locals regularly use this path to access the main route up to Penistone Hill, the Bronte waterfalls and Top Withens.

Councillor Alan Watts, of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council, said about 30 flagstones had been stolen, with those responsible leaving behind other dislodged stones which they were presumably unable to carry away.

He said he was first informed of the damage by a fellow parish councillor last Thursday and assumed the theft must have taken place no more than one or two nights previously.

"It's looks a right mess," he added. "When we had flagstones stolen from the other end of the path some time back the council had to replace them with concrete ones. So I assume they'll have to do that here as well.

"The thieves left behind some flagstones which must have been too heavy for their van. The police need to get up there, because they'll come back again and take those stones too."

Cllr Angel Kershaw, chairman of the parish council, said: "This is a very well-used path and these selfish people have spoiled it for the people of Haworth and all the people who visit the village.

"I really can't understand the mentality of someone who would do this.

"It has to be stopped and I will be asking the police about it at the next parish council meeting. I'll ask the police what plans they have in place to stop this happening.

"I know quite a few people here are upset and frustrated about it.

"Unfortunately because this is a public pathway it has not been identified with Smart Water, which is something I'd encourage people to do to their own private property."

Worth Valley Ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen said the crime was particularly disheartening, as she previously understood that stone theft had reached a peak and was being brought under control.

"It's worrying to see the whole of the path being targeted in this way," she said.

"The gaps between the flagstones will very soon become muddy, which won't leave a good impression for anyone arriving in Bronte Country.

"These criminals might think it is a victimless crime, but it isn't. It affects the whole community and it damages Haworth's historic heritage."

A spokesman for Bradford Council responded: “We are aware of the missing flagstones and are looking into it.”

The theft has been reported to police and a West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed it is currently being investigated.