VANDALS armed with spray paint left Brierley Hill looking "a state" when they graffitied walls, telecom boxes and shop shutters.

Yobs sprayed at least a dozen 'tags' around Moor Street, Mill Street and High Street on Monday night.

Mark Edwards, aged 36, of Moor Street, noticed the graffiti on Tuesday morning and said: "It looks a state and it's all brand new. The people that live here are young families and elderly residents looking for a quiet life. We occasionally have graffiti on the High Street but this is moving into a solely residential area."

The father-of-two added: "Nothing like this has happened in the three years I've been here."

Councillor Rachel Harris, who represents the Brierley Hill ward said: "We don't want this in Brierley Hill. The community works hard on projects, like Brierley Hill in Bloom - we've really pulled together, Brierley Hill is moving up and then some vandal comes along. This is not art, it's vandalism. Someone is clearly making a statement."

A Dudley Council spokesman said a team was sent out at 6am this morning (Wednesday) to clean up.