AN IMAGE of a vehicle branded with the letters "CHEA" has been released by police.

Spennymoor Police posted the image alongside another of the vehicle with multiple scratches.

In one of the images the letters "CHEA" have been scratched into the bodywork, followed by what appears to be the letter "T".

The vehicle was parked on South Downs, in Chilton, County Durham, when the damage was caused sometime overnight between April 23 and April 24.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on non-emergency 101 and quote crime reference number CRI00050326.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.