A smart way to beat graffiti vandals may lead to a boom in business for a printing company.

Many of the biggest eyesores in Brighton and Hove have been covered by large, colourful images of classic paintings.

They have proved a huge hit as both a deterrent for vandals and an attraction for shoppers.

Matt Eastel, part of the environmental improvement team at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "Our primary objective was to cover the boarded-up areas with an anti-graffiti solution so that it would be easy to clean should it be vandalised again.

"However, we found that by fixing a durable, solid, colourful large format digital print to the building instead, we are in effect taking away the vandals' blank canvas and they simply don't get vandalised any more.

"The project has been and continues to be a complete success."

The first piece to be unveiled was a Twenties painting called Brighton Front which was installed at a former Cancer Research shop in New Road, Brighton. Since then a derelict hotel at Pool Valley coach station has been covered up with a painting called The Seaside by Alice Maude Fanner and several works of art brighten up a row of rundown shops on York Place.

The images have been produced by Henfield-based Doubledot thanks to the installation of a hi-tech printer, one of only a handful in use across the country.

Managing director Tony Brothers bought the ColourSpan 5465 for more than £60,000 in September.

He said: "Obviously, it was a big investment but it has been worth it as the machine is very rarely sitting there doing nothing."

The ColourSpan allows any image to be printed on to almost any surface an inch or less thick, including glass, metal and MDF. It can produce images up to 1.3m wide and 3m long.

Usually Doubledot uses the machine to provide signs for exhibitions but the anti-graffiti paintings have proved a business hit.

Mr Brothers said: "It's interesting that the images are becoming an attraction in themselves and people have been taking their pictures next to them. They're a great addition to the city.

"We have already had enquiries from the council in Newcastle about doing something similar up there. It's a great opportunity because vandalism is everywhere."

The company's main problem is convincing local authorities they have a problem.

"Some places don't like to admit they have vandalism," Mr Brothers said. "I have already approached town centre managers in Crawley and Tunbridge Wells and they said they didn't see graffiti as a problem but I don't think most people would agree."

Doubledot can be contacted on 01273 492233.