A YOUTH shelter lovingly restored by local children has been ruined by graffiti - again.

Vandals have spoilt the newly-decorated shelter only days after pupils from New Earswick Primary School gave it an artistic facelift.

The Evening Press reported on Friday how the children had given their local graffiti-damaged youth shelter a fresh coat of paint.

The brightly-coloured mural, designed by professional artist Griselda Goldsbrough and painted by the 243 pupils at the school, took almost a week complete.

But within days the vandals moved in, daubing names and slogans all over their work.

Since the octagonal shelter was built on the green outside New Earswick Primary School five years ago, it has been a target for vandalism and graffiti.

Last week, the walls of the shelter were transformed from a spray-painted mess into a colourful kaleidoscopic star-scene, with designs inspired by Matisse and Kandinsky.

Now pupils have to fight an on-going battle to wash the new spray-paint damage off with soap and sponges.

New Earswick parish councillor Peter Gales said he thought the vandalism was "a crying shame".

He said: "What those children did was just marvellous. They all did a wonderful job - and now someone's come along to ruin it. I find it so sad.

"Last Saturday someone went in and daubed graffiti all over it. The following day children with soap and wet sponges cleaned it all off. But whoever it was came back, and daubed names and slogans over it again."

Carole Farrar, head teacher of New Earswick Primary School, said: "Many older youths commented how much they liked what the children were doing and were impressed by the artistic talent on display.

"There was always the concern that some youths might daub graffiti onto the mural. We really hoped that the children's work would get the respect it deserves, but, unfortunately, a few young people have felt the need to spoil it already. While this is disappointing, the experience of taking part in producing a work of art will stay with our pupils forever.

"Also, the project has helped prompt some valuable debates and learning about anti-social behaviour, which we hope will help shape our pupils' development as caring responsible citizens of the future."

Updated: 10:23 Thursday, October 14, 2004