Do you recognise this writing? If so call the police on the number below.

For the scrawl nearly cost Oxenhope it's winning place in the village of the year competition.

Volunteers in the village had spent a lot of time and effort painting the football pavilion, only to find it covered in graffiti.

On the eve of the village of the year competition judging, volunteers Clifford Coates and John Hoggard worked throughout the day to paint over the names written on it in thick black pen.

The doors and stone work of the pavilion were the worst effected areas.

Mr Coates said: "We had been repairing the football pavilion, painting all the windows and doors and tidying the place up a bit.

"We had finished the glossing and we went back the following day and found all the new paintwork had been vandalised.

"We had to get some spirits and get it all off and paint it again. It was an absolute nightmare. We have had tremendous problems with vandalism and we would like to see something done about it."

The vandalism happened overnight, on Tuesday, June 19, but luckily the hard work of the residents paid off as Oxenhope claimed second place in the competition.

PC Brian Woollard said: "They had given up their time and had spent all day painting the pavilion. It had a lot of damage done to it.

The volunteers had put a lot of work into it and they had to repaint it all in time for the judge's inspection.

"They are getting fed up with the vandalism and it would be nice if someone could put a stop to this. It is quite a distinct signature, if anyone recognises it we would like them to come forward."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Woollard on 01274 537441.