Dorchester Mayor Janet Hewitt has called homophobic graffiti sprayed in the town's skate park "appalling".

The graffiti was seen by Dorchester local Ben Reidy who had been skateboarding there yesterday.

The graffiti on one of the ramps of the Weymouth Avenue skatepark - which is opposite the police station - says "**** LgBTQ".

Police have said following enquiries officers think the graffiti may have been there for 'several months' - however the town council which operates the facility said that would be unusual as there are weekly inspections of the site.

Ben said: "I had been there with my skateboard for about an hour, and then I looked over and saw it. I didn’t notice it at first but after I saw it I couldn’t just do nothing.

"I am disappointed and shocked."

Ben posted a picture of the graffiti to a local Facebook group with a message which wrote: "Very saddened to see this at Dorchester skatepark. For me, the park is a safe space for all kinds of people. This does not represent our community in a good light. I hope that the police can do something about this."

Cllr Janet Hewitt, Mayor of Dorchester, said: "It is very sad that someone has done a thing like that, I think it is very hurtful.

"I am upset, people should know better and we should know not to demoralise others or discriminate against others.

"It is appalling, it is not the kind of thing we want in our town."

Police confirmed that they had been made aware of the graffiti yesterday afternoon.

Following enquiries, local police suggested that the graffiti may have been on the ramp for several months.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "The local authority has been contacted in relation to removing the graffiti and officers will continue to conduct regular patrols in the area."

Steve Newman, Dorchester Town Clerk, said: "We visit the site regularly, we have a safety check every week and so it would be unusual for it not to be identified.

"We were alerted by police about offensive graffiti, we sent operatives who used graffiti remover, they will go out again and it should be gone (by today).

"Our policy is to remove graffiti as soon as possible and normally we get calls from members of the public whenever there is any kind of offensive graffiti.

"It was surprising and sad to see. It is a really good community that uses the skate park, they all look after each other."

A spokesperson from the Weymouth Gay Group said: "Negative views expressed like this about any part of society are unwelcome and unwanted. 

"Sadly it is nothing new and has also migrated to the online world too.

"Many of us are striving for a much kinder world, of acceptance, respect and understanding, through embracing diversity and equality."