“DISRESPECTFUL” cyclists are blighting services to honour fallen soldiers by riding through road closures during events and refusing to dismount.

Sharon Robinson, secretary of the Manningtree Royal British Legion, said cyclists have even ridden through during the minute silence and through groups of cadets.

The latest incident at Manningtree War Memorial in High Street on Sunday saw six cyclists pass the road closure.

Residents, councillors and war veterans were gathered for a service to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the battle of Passchendaele - one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

Sharon said: “We were just about the start the service and a group of six cyclists came haring through.

“When I asked them to dismount and walk, I was plainly told ‘no’.

“It’s so ignorant and rude.

“One of our older members asked them to have some respect and said ‘people on this war memorial fought for your country’.

“With that they got off their bikes for about five yards.”

The cyclists, believed to be in their 30s, are not the first to ignore the road closure.

“It’s happened at the last six of our services at the Manningtree War Memorial,” Sharon added.

“It’s so disrespectful - it hurts. The veterans at these services have served their country and the Queen.

“When a road closure is in place it means cyclists as well as cars.

“I can’t believe the sheer ignorance, thinking it’s fine to ride through a service being held at the war memorial.

“Unbelievable - if it hadn’t been for these poor souls fighting in the war, some of which lost their lives, these people would not be enjoying the freedom they have today.”

The service on Sunday included Manningtree mayor Ruth Stocks and councillors from Lawford, Mistley and Manningtree.

Sharon said: “They were appalled.

“We always put road closures in place and a week before put up notices.

“We don’t mind them dismounting and walking but this has got to stop, it’s getting worse and worse.”