A heritage society has expressed disappointment after a statue was vandalised just weeks after it was cleaned.

The statue of George IV outside the Royal Pavilion in Brighton had recently been spruced up by council staff, but was then covered in graffiti.

David Fisher, chairman of the Regency Society, said the vandalism was “yet another example of a mentality that only sees a black space, regardless of where or what it is, as an opportunity to deface our shared environment”.

He said: “I have no idea how best to prevent it. It’s depressing that some individuals with spray cans find this way of marking ‘their’ territory.

“Graffiti makes the surroundings looks neglected for all of us, including the taggers, Greater awareness of how our environment affects us all might help.

“That might make improvements, however small, whenever we can.”

The Argus: The statue had been cleaned only a few weeks ago before being vandalisedThe statue had been cleaned only a few weeks ago before being vandalised (Image: Newsquest)

Gary Farmer, founder of the Old Steine Community Association, said the latest vandalism was “endemic of the council’s negligence of the city”.

He said: “Through visible dilapidation, Brighton’s council invites antisocial behaviour, encouraging the shabby disregard for our city’s landscape.

“The city centre remains an afterthought for the council, who focus on ideology with blind conviction as we see our city fail time and time again.”

A council spokesman said: "Unfortunately, there has been a graffiti incident at the statue this week, which is extremely disappointing.

"However, we are pleased to report that CityClean have attended to this matter today."

George IV commissioned the Royal Pavilion as a seaside retreat during his time as Prince Regent and spent time at the palace during his time as king.

The statue was erected in 1828, two years before George IV’s death, and was designed by Sir Francis Chantrey.

It is a 9ft bronze figure of the king standing on top of a 10ft granite pedestal.

The listed statue was originally constructed in the Old Steine but was moved to its current location by the entrance gate to the Royal Pavilion in 1922 to allow for the erection of the Brighton War Memorial.