PUBLIC seating in the shape of a boat at Musselburgh was daubed with graffiti.

Installed by the community council as part of the town’s millennium celebration, the seating on the promenade at the top of Beach Lane was repainted in September last year.

Irene Tait, chairperson of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, said: “I hope this is the last of the graffiti as we have just had it painted.”

The vandalism caused uproar on social media, where it was branded “mindless behaviour” and “disgusting.”

Ward councillor Stuart Currie asked East Lothian Council to remove the graffiti.

He said: “I was appalled to see the vandalism at this site.

“The seats were put in by the community and the response from many within our community demonstrates how we feel.

“It is simply unacceptable but is also sadly one of a number of incidents in the town. I have no doubt that this will be a topic of discussion at the next community and police partnership meeting but this cannot continue and I would urge anyone who witnesses acts of vandalism to contact the police.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said the graffiti removal team would attend, adding: “It is disappointing to learn of this graffiti and we are looking to see if it can be removed.”