GRAFFITI that appeared around Kendal at the weekend has been condemned by the mayor of the town.

Photographs showed a pink, spray-painted 'tag' had been plastered on bins and lampposts in Highgate.

Cllr Doug Rathbone said self-expression could be 'so much more imaginative and not have a negative impact'.

"It’s a shame that low-level graffiti like this spoils what so many people are trying to do to improve the look for Kendal," said Cllr Rathbone, Kendal's mayor.

"It may be just one person’s tag, but all it does is detract from our town."

The man who took the photos of the graffiti along Highgate said there were other, additional cases closer to the town centre.

"One person seems to have gone around town leaving their 'tag' everywhere - on bins, lampposts, all over the place," said the man, who asked not to be named.

"Not 'art', not someone 'expressing themselves', vandalism, pure and simple, I think."

Cllr Rathbone referred to voluntary work and Kendal Youth Zone as initiatives that 'allow expression and help to bring us together as a community'.

Kendal Youth Zone is a youth club set up by town councillor Adam Edwards.

The club's activities were curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic but it is now hosting events, including discos and film screenings.

Visit 'Kendal Youth Zone' on Facebook for more information about the club.

A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: “We have received a report of graffiti on some street furniture around Kendal.

"This has been passed to our Streetscene team and added to the maintenance schedule for removal.’’