Historic fingerpost signs recently restored by volunteers have fallen victim to rural vandalism in West Somerset.

A number of other road signs, traffic cones and grit bins have also been targeted.

And with the cost of repairs ultimately falling on taxpayers, Somerset County Council this week anyone with information about the crimes to report it to the police.

Some 25 signs in the parishes of Upton, Elworthy, Nettlecombe, Monksilver, Chipstable, Clatworthy, Brompton Ralph, Lydeard St Lawrence and Treborough have been sprayed with graffiti, ranging from blackouts to offensive symbols and slogans. 

Traffic cones and grit bins – bought by parish councils and filled with salt by the county council to help communities clear ice and snow in winter – have also been set on fire and destroyed.

The vandals have obscured stop and give way signs, changed speed limits and defaced historic fingerposts which had been restored by community-minded volunteers.

Neighbourhood police sergeant Dan Bishop said: “Mindless acts of vandalism such as these are an unnecessary drain on police resources with valuable time spent assessing reports and investigating when appropriate.

“Patrols have been targeted at the locations affected in this instance to provide reassurance to the community and to act as a deterrent to whoever is responsible.”

Anyone with any information about the vandalism can contact police on 101 quoting reference number 5220004562.