GRAFFITI artists are painting the town blue - covering fences and playground equipment with abusive language.

Sherwood councillor Marie Milne expressed disgust at pen-wielding youngsters who have begun using fences, walls and playgrounds as their own personal message service.

Preston Council workers have already been called in to scrub foul verses off the climbing frames in the new Tower Green playground.

Coun Marie Milne said the graffiti is a blow to the community and is urging vandals to stay away from the park, which was completed just last year.

She fumed: "If they want to be so rude, then they should talk to each other instead of sharing their vile thoughts with everyone.

"Virtually every gate, fence and wall in the area has been written on. Some of it isn't as bad, but there are parts which are so rude I wouldn't dare repeat it.

"The council has cleaned up the climbing frames but they can't clean every fence in the area. It makes the area look scruffy which is a shame."

Coun Milne is now calling on local parents to ensure children aren't allowed to leave home with pens unless they are using them for legitimate reasons.

She added: "I know it is school-age children who are doing this and they have no reason to be carrying permanent markers around with them.

"The whole thing is a shame because we worked so hard for so long to get a play area for the youngsters."

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