YOBS went on a graffiti daubing spree throughout Prestwich last weekend and left a trail of vandalism in their wake.

Troublemakers sprayed graffiti on walls and lamp posts from Bury New Road in Prestwich Village to Lowther Road near Carr Clough over a 48-hour period starting on Saturday.

The discovery has outraged residents and councillors who are despairing that community workers’ efforts to curb the problem of graffiti are coming to nothing.

Stephen St George-Smith, of Duckworth Road, Prestwich, said: “This graffiti is breaking out onto the surrounding streets and walls — overnight local private walls have been vandalised.

“What is being done to apprehend the individuals responsible for this criminal damage?”

“These marks do have a real effect upon how safe the people of Prestwich feel when walking through Carr Clough.”

In the past eight months, LAP officials have been handing out graffiti cleaning kits to residents and business owners.

Prestwich police have dealt with at least three offenders through the courts and have, on at least two occasions, agreed that re-offenders clean up their mess and work with professional graffiti artists to learn how to create artwork at licensed sites.

St Mary’s Ward councillor Vic D’Albert said: “I am disgusted that vandals continue to bring misery to local people by daubing our streets with graffiti.

“This has been going on for too long now. Prestwich Local Area Partnership (LAP) and the police are already using very tight resources to try to manage this problem.

“The police did their bit by catching offenders, and we are supporting them to try to catch the latest offenders.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Our officers in Prestwich are aware of an increase in public signage and street furniture becoming a target for graffiti over the weekend and are investigating.

“Anyone who can supply useful information should call us on 0161 872 5050.”