NEW ORDER - JOY DIVISION DRUMMER APPEALS FOR TOMBSTONE RETURN

Stephen Morris, the drummer of Joy Division and New Order, has appealed for the return of Ian Curtis' gravestone after it was stolen in Macclesfield.

The legendary frontman died at just 23, after he hanged himself on the eve of a Joy Division US tour in 1980, and is buried in Macclesfield.

But Cheshire Police confirmed on Thursday that the memorial stone - which is inscribed with 'Ian Curtis 18-5-80' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - has been taken from the cemetery in the northwest town.

Speaking to NME.com, Curtis' former bandmate Morris has expressed his sadness at the theft.

"I just don't understand why anyone would do it," he said. "You couldn't sell it on eBay - it's ridiculous and very upsetting."

"There had been the [Joy Division] films [Anton Corbijn's Control and Grant Gee's eponymous documentary] so maybe someone thought they could cash in… or maybe it's someone who is a bit deranged - you'd have to be."

He added: "I'm speechless. It really is not a very nice thing at all."

Macclesfield Borough Council spokesman Tony Barker said the memorial was typically adorned with flowers behind it and mementoes to Curtis.

"It wasn't concreted in but tarmacked up to it," he added.

"This has never happened before and we are agog that someone's gone to the trouble of taking it out. We are stunned."

Bill North, the council's services manager, added: "I'm shocked this has happened.

"Someone's gone to a great deal of trouble to remove the memorial stone and I hope our appeal will help return it as soon as possible."