CONCERNS have been raised about graffiti and vandalism in a Tyne Valley Town.

Hexham Town Council said graffiti damage had been caused at the town’s skatepark on the Sele, and also on one of the bridges leading into Hexham from the A69, as well as on road signage.

But a user of the skatepark has defended others who use the popular facility for BMX bikes and skateboards, claiming that any unlawful activity must take place after genuine enthusiasts have gone home.

At Monday’s town council meeting, the Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Bob Hull, said: “I would like to put on record concern I have about the growth of graffiti and vandalism over the last few weeks. It is costing us money and is not very good for the image of the town.”

Phil Irwin, a trainee geography teacher who is studying a PGCE at Sunderland University, is a regular user of the skatepark.

Mr Irwin, who intends to become a secondary school teacher, said: “A lot of the graffiti you see here is not new.

“Some of it fades and then you see some more, but really this is not done by those who use the skatepark for its intended use.”

Mr Irwin was speaking on Wednesday evening, when the facility was busy with teenagers honing their skills on the specially designed ramps.

He added: “There’s no sign of anything untoward. If anything like that does happen here it’s perhaps later at night, and certainly not by these young people. There’s a good bunch here and they use it responsibly.”

The town council closed the skatepark and temporarily fenced it off back in May, amid concerns relating to social distancing. But it reopened two weeks later in line with other amenities.