GRAFFITI artists from Taunton are appealing to vandals to stop destroying their handiwork.

A group of young men have been given permission to use a wall in Chip Lane for their artwork.

But each time they paint something there, a few days later someone else is painting over it with white paint.

One of the artists, Sam Gaden, said: "We have permission to paint the wall from the owner, but someone obviously doesn't like what we are doing and keeps destroying it.

"We are hoping to catch whoever it is because not only is it illegal, but it also takes us a lot of time and money to paint the wall.

"We have had a lot of people in the area say how much our work has cleaned the place up, but if it carries on we will not bother any more and it will be left to go to ruin."

The wall's owner Robert King is also angry about what is being done.

He said: "The reason I gave the group permission to paint the wall is because I was fed up with all the graffiti being sprayed on it.

"As soon as I cleaned it up the toe-rags just do it again. At least people like what these guys are doing - I can't understand why anyone would destroy their work."

Local resident Jefferson Horsley has recently appealed for the graffiti in Chip Lane to stop, but said he is not against the artists painting the wall.

He said: "I have been appealing for the random mindless vandalism to stop, such as a road sign that was painted.

"But I am not against these people painting this wall. Hopefully whoever is doing this will stop."

Taunton Deane Council has offered to try and help.

A spokesman said: "Chip Lane has always been a problem spot for ad hoc and detrimental graffiti.

"A project is now under way to change this by creating a positive piece of graffiti art, which, as we understand, has the permission of the landowners along Chip Lane.

"If there are problems with a member of the public painting over the work, we would recommend the artists call the council's project officer (anti-social behaviour) on 01823-356356 to discuss or they could also contact the town centre police team on 01823-363104."