Yobs who vandalised a town centre building have been branded mindless scum.

Community campaigner Peter MacDonald noticed the De Lacey Hall, in Esplanade Gardens, Sheerness, had been covered in graffiti.

He spotted it last Thursday but believes the vandalism happened a few days before.

Mr MacDonald reported it to Swale council and its street wardens removed part of it straight away.

A team from the council was due to go back today (Wednesday) to clean it all off using their graffiti-buster.

Mr MacDonald planned to go along to assist with the clean up.

He said: "I couldn't believe it - the building was absolutely covered.

"I think the people that have done this are brain dead, mindless scum.

"The public is fed up with this kind of behaviour - there's no respect.

"I hope local people, if they see anything like this kind of criminal damage happening, will phone the police."

The De Lacey Hall is used by community groups and organisations and they have also condemned the graffiti.

East Kent Mencap uses the hall on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and the charity's support worker for the Island, Philip Charles, echoed Mr MacDonald's thoughts.

He said: "It's disgusting and very untidy. The guys who attend the De Lacey Hall feel upset and angry about it ."

Mr Charles said there wouldn't be complaints if children wanted to decorate the building with proper artwork.

A spokesman for Swale council said there has been no lasting damage to the building but urged people to report graffiti as soon as possible.

He added: "We try and catch offenders and have in the past carried out restorative justice seeing offenders made to clean up their graffiti.

"Given that clean and graffiti-free streets are rated so highly by all of us, Swale council continues to work with our partners and our communities to not only maintain our current high standard, but also improve upon it."

• To report any graffiti call Swale Borough Council on 01795 417850