A VILLAGE is being plagued by graffiti artists.

A three-mile stretch has been targeted in Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, over the past month with two distinctive 'tags' appearing.

Buildings, garages, business units, bus stops and lamp posts have all been vandalised with the tags, causing an unsightly mess, according to officers investigating the incidents.

The three-mile stretch of the road, from the centre of Waterfoot to Whitewell Bottom, is being covered by the determined vandals and even corners of houses have been attacked.

Some residents have scrubbed graffiti off bus stops, only to see more appear.

Waterfoot Police and Community Support Officer Nick Stratton said officers had had reports from residents who said the graffiti was appearing overnight.

He said: "Residents have said they have gone past at 10pm and it isn't there and then when they go walking the dog at 6am it has appeared.

"Some of it is being sprayed quite high up so the culprits are likely to be in their late teens.

"It is the same tags and I think it is the same one or two people each time.

"We have had quite a lot of complaints about it, mainly from residents, as well as some of the business owners.

"We will be going round photographing it and then going into local schools with them to see if any of the pupils recognise it.

"We are also appealing for witnesses or anyone who knows who may be responsible to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact PCSO Stratton on 07984316874 or community beat manager Nick Woods on 07903979130, or Bacup Police Station on 01706 237641, or alternatively ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.