CIVIC leaders have hit out at vandals who have carried out a spate of attacks across a market town.

They say the vandals are wrecking the appearance of Pickering, in North Yorkshire, and creating a poor image that could drive away much-needed tourists.

In the latest attack, a public noticeboard attached to the town's library was smashed, just a day after it had been installed.

Earlier, vandals had sprayed graffiti across stones by the newly-refurbished Riverside Walk, one of the town's main visitor areas.

Mayor Betsy Hill said: "We all live here and it just gives the town a bad name.

"We are trying to help young people by getting them improved facilities, but if they don't work with us, we can't work for them.