Vandals have been condemned for daubing political graffiti at the canalside in Bingley, in protest at the change of Government.

Messages including “say no to the callous Tories” have appeared on walls, under a bridge and on the Damart building by the Three Rise Locks.

British Waterways and Bingley councillors have condemned the vandalism, while bosses at Damart have said they are now working to remove the graffiti from their building.

Councillor John Pennington (Con, Bingley) said: “I’m all for people having an opinion, that is called democracy, but I do object when people express their opinion in a way that spoils other people’s pleasure.

“Many people use the canal for recreation and I have to say I go down there regularly and all the people who go down there, with a few exceptions, are nice, law-abiding folk.

“So it’s a shame that such a small minority should spoil the enjoyment of the vast majority.”

But Coun Pennington conceded he agreed with one message, which opposed VAT on fuel bills.

He said: “The comment I agree with is the one that says no VAT on fuel. For me, it appears that a barrel of fuel seems to be getting cheaper and a litre of fuel seems to be getting more expensive, therefore the only person who seems to be benefiting is the Chancellor, at the cost of the people who are paying more.”

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said: “It doesn’t matter if it is political or a tag, it will either cost public money to clean it up or private business, which is not really warranted, particularly when the public purse is tightening and many businesses are struggling to weather the economic climate.

“Three Rise Locks is a heritage site, it’s like going down to Stonehenge and spraying something all over that – it just beggars belief these imbeciles think this is fair game.”

Debbie Lumb, waterways manager for the North West, said: “We will be investigating the reports of graffiti along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal by Bingley Three Rise Locks.

“It is a sad fact some irresponsible people do commit acts of vandalism with graffiti.

“This means we have to divert our precious resources from other areas in order to remove it.”

A Damart spokesman said: “We have experienced some graffiti at the back of our building and are working to remove it from our premises.”

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk