Renovations to a town landmark have been thwarted by graffiti vandals attacking three times during repairs.

The clock tower in Broadstairs has been daubed on separate occasions while work takes place to spruce up the structure in Victoria Gardens.

Workers removed the tags on their previous visits but when they returned to continue the job last week, the vandals had struck once again.

A town councillor says CCTV in the clifftop seafront gardens could be the answer and is also calling for residents to keep an eye out.

Cllr Ruth Bailey (Ind) slammed the yobs for lacking respect and hopes the culprits can be tracked down after tags including 'frog', 'aero', 'jammer' and 'jams' were sprayed.

"It is very disappointing to see our beautiful town being defaced on a regular basis by graffiti," she said.

"There seem to be a few individuals with time on their hands and nothing better to do and who seem to lack any respect for the environment in which they live. You see the same tags repeatedly sprayed everywhere.

"Surely someone must know who these taggers are or spot them in action or know who is selling them the spray cans?"

The clock tower was rebuilt in the 1970s after a fire to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee in 1977. The original was built in honour of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee in 1897.

The incidents have been reported to the police and to Thanet District Council - which owns the tower and is responsible for cleaning graffiti tags in the district.

Cllr Bailey says PCSOs visit schools trying to find out information after reported vandalism incidents.

"More CCTV may help but the graffiti is so prevalent we would need surveillance everywhere," Cllr Bailey said.

"More police and enforcement would be ideal but we as a community can also do our bit by keeping our eyes open and report any ongoing incidents to 101. This is criminal damage and there is a cost to us as taxpayers in cleaning it up."

Town clerk Danielle Dunn says CCTV cameras could be an option but the system needs to be monitored regularly to be effective in catching vandals.

"Interestingly, 'Frog' is definitely a new tag, it has been written all over our wheelie bin at Pierremont Hall," she added.

The work is part of the community payback programme by people convicted of crimes.

They have visited once a week since May as part of their sentence to give the woodwork and benches new coats of paint.

It is run in partnership between Broadstairs and St Peter's Town Council and the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company.

Cllr Bailey added the spate of vandalism was a shame given the good work being carried out by the community payback team.

Report graffiti to Thanet District Council via the authority's website or call police on 101.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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