POLICE have been asked to investigate a "baffling" vandal attack on stocks said to have been the last to be used in Yorkshire.

Residents of Bingley have reacted with a mixture of shock, anger and disgust after discovering graffiti has been drawn on the stocks next to the Buttercross in the Market Square which are among the oldest structures in the town.

Nigel Lumb, who discovered the vandalism while on a walk on Tuesday, said he was baffled why someone would do such a thing.

"It's just baffling why anybody would want to write graffiti on a medieval market hall. People are outraged that the youth of Bingley has defaced a historic monument with a national reputation."

Mr Lumb, who is vice-chairman of a local primary school's board of governors, said he was angry and disappointed at the disrespect shown to the town's history.

"I would like people to respect our heritage. This vandalism is blatant evidence of disrespect and makes me feel uncomfortable.

"My concern is shared widely across Bingley. One lady commented that she had a good crop of tomatoes but that these would be too good to throw at these people."

Councillor John Pennington (Con, Bingley) described the vandalism as "absolutely disgraceful."

"Somebody must have seen the perpetrator in such a public location. I would put whoever is responsible in the stocks.

"It is disgusting and disrespectful to everybody."

Residents said they found it depressing that the historic site had been damaged after surviving intact for many decades.

A Facebook page used by former and current Bingley residents has received over 100 comments after Mr Lumb posted a photograph of the graffiti, which appears to have been done in black marker pen on both wooden and stone parts of the stocks.

Some people suggested that the perpetrator deserved to be put in the stocks and pelted with rotten fruit.

Allan Harrison, commenting on Facebook, said: "Be nice if they could be caught, put into stocks on market day and pelted with rotten fruit...morons."

Sam Fenwick added: "Very sad that it's been there for so long untouched and idiots have to spoil it for everyone else."

Julie-Anne Hughes-Jackson described the vandal attack as "outrageous behaviour", adding: "If they are caught they should be put in them (stocks) all day and have people throw whatever would be applicable under health and safety regulations, paying money to a charity or fund of some kind to help Bingley residents."

Valerie Crabtree said: "I call this criminal damage and should be dealt with as such."

Sue Booth commented: "It's the immature scribble of an imbecile."

It is understood that the damage to the stocks has been reported to police but no-one was available to comment last night from West Yorkshire Police.

No-one was available to comment from Bradford Council.