POLICE are investigating a graffiti campaign accusing councillors of corruption.

The claims about a number of councillors have been daubed on road bridges across east Cleveland and repeated in leaflets put over road signs.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council -the local authority being targeted -is appealing for people's help to identify those responsible, who it said "have waged a libellous smear campaign against councillors and officers over several weeks".

Police are investigating a series of incidents, including the graffiti and leaflets that make claims and accusations.

Colin Moore, the council's chief executive, and Councillor Eric Empson, the chairman of the council's cabinet, issued a joint statement condemning the "criminal actions" and promising their own legal action after the culprits are caught and prosecuted.

The statement said: "We have been angered and saddened at a seemingly endless series of vandal attacks that threaten road safety and besmirch our council's reputation.

"We have kept a timetable of when and where these incidents have taken place and the cost to this authority in dealing with them, and now feel we have no alternative but to make our concerns public.

"There is absolutely no basis in fact for the claims made in the graffiti and leaflets. They are all libellous."

The statement added: "The individuals named have been hurt and dismayed at what has occurred, and their families and friends have also been extremely distressed.

"Whoever is responsible is engaging in criminal acts and we have no doubt their identities must be known within our communities.

"We appeal to the public for their help in bringing these people to justice.

"We also want to serve notice on those responsible that we will also pursue them in the courts for damages as a result of their spurious lies and claims.

"This is, of course, on top of any criminal sanctions that the police might bring."

A police spokeswoman said complaints were being investigated.

The council and police are urging anyone with information about the incidents to ring the community policing team on (01642) 302022.