VANDALS have defaced the campaign banners of a Conservative district council hopeful and compared him to a villain on hit TV show Phoenix Nights.

A number of signs promoting Ben Berry, who hopes to retain his seat for the Windermere Applethwaite and Troutbeck ward in the upcoming South Lakeland District Council elections, were set upon overnight.

The accused used blue paint to change the lettering on two banners north of Low Wood Bay, two at Cooks House Corner roundabout and one at Alice Howe.

They also stuck on a picture of Den Perry, who was played by actor, presenter and radio broadcaster Ted Robbins in both series of the Channel Four show in 2001-2002.

"You never really know who does this sort of thing," said Cllr Berry. "It is obviously someone who is a fan of Phoenix Nights and doesn't like me but that doesn't bring the pool of suspects down much.

"What is disappointing is that they have singled me out personally. Nearby Ann Myatt and Tim Farron signs were left alone.

"Police have more important people to catch but I probably will let them know."

Kate Barkes, Green Party, and Andrew Jarvis, Liberal Democrats, are also standing in the election on May 7.