The word 'joke' has been sprayed across the Conservative party election signs across Southwell.

VANDALS have defaced the Conservative party signs in Southwell.

The word 'joke' has been sprayed across the party signs across the town last night.

Bruce Laughton, Southwell's Conservative councillor, said: "I'm very disappointed that people found it necessary to go down this route, irrespective of people's views, you should be respectful of the voting process.

"It's an attack on democracy and whoever did it is trying to intimidate the Conservative campaign and attempt to divert people's attention away from the elections."

If anyone has any information relating to the incident, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.