PROTESTERS campaigning against the Weymouth Pavilion scheme have been branded vandals after they daubed slogans on boards destined to display artwork by college students.

Construction students from Weymouth College, who are helping with the renovation of seafront shelters, had painted boards surrounding the shelters white to create a gallery space for work by college art students.

But people protesting at the proposed Pavilion redevelopment have defaced the boards with graffiti.

Weymouth and Portland environment spokesman Coun Doug Hollings condemned their actions and said: "This is a very disappointing and irresponsible act of criminal damage.

"As residents may be aware, the renovation of the seafront shelters is part of a wider Townscape Heritage initiative to conserve some of the town's key historic street furniture and buildings.

"It is ironic that those who are opposed to the redevelopment of the Pavilion site have apparently seen fit to hinder a project about the heritage of the town.

"To undermine this art student project is to undermine the students' contribution to improve their community environment and sets a very bad example."

College visual arts and media programme area manager Norman Lomax said that all art and design staff and students were extremely disappointed' at the disruption to weeks of work.

He added that it had been hoped to hang pictures up this week in the biggest public arts initiative seen in Weymouth in recent years.

Mr Lomax said: "Hopefully we will be able to undo the damage done in readiness for a visit from a representative from the Arts Council and can involve the general public in a more positive way by encouraging them to vote for their favourite picture."