They say a bad workman blames his tools, but an Angus businessman has found his are just too good.
Community-minded Mark Whitworth, who runs a drainage and sewer services firm in Montrose, offered to clean political graffiti from the gates of Victoria Park in Arbroath free of charge after reading about the vandalism in The Courier.
However the 25-year-old’s selfless gesture was scuppered when his industrial pressure washer proved too powerful for the job.
Mark, who started up Drain Dogs just two months ago, had already begun spraying away slogans, including, ”No More F*** Oil”, ”Save Our Planet” and ”Revolucion Is Now”, when he noticed the original paint was also flaking off.
He said: It was just a shame the washer was too powerful because I really wanted to do something to help. I said to the guys that if they ever needed help anywhere else, I would be happy to lend a hand.”
The full-day job to remove the graffiti would usually have set the public purse back by about £500, with blue and red spray paint covering the large stone pillars marking the entrance to the popular spot.
Mark said he had been keen to have the unsightly mess removed before tourists begin to arrive over the school summer holidays.
”When I read the story I was furious that these people would do something like this, so I offered to come down and clear it up for free,” he said. ”There are going to be a lot of families and tourists coming down to the park over the next few weeks and it is not the kind of first impression we want to leave them with.
”The community is going to stick together and no matter how many times these vandals strike, it will always be cleaned up.”
Mark previously worked for a national drainage firm, but decided to go it alone after moving back to Montrose from Aberdeen.
The former Montrose Academy pupil was assisted in the clean-up attempt by Neil Youll (26) with a mix of chemical cleaners used to remove some of the graffiti.
A spokeswoman for Angus Council said Drain Dogs had been in contact on Monday to offer to carry out the work, and confirmed local authority workers would now take over. It is likely the pillars will need to be completely re-painted.
Angus Council neighbourhood services convener Donald Morrison commended Mark for his community spirit and urged residents to come forward with information that could help trace the vandals.
”This was a wonderful gesture from someone who is proving there are people who take pride in their community,” he said. ”I would like to thank Mr Whitworth for his efforts.”
Police have conducted door-to-door inquiries in the area since the graffiti was sprayed overnight on Saturday.
The damage followed vandalism to several cars in the town’s Brechin Road and also a suspicious fire in Millgate Loan on Friday night.
Anyone who may have witnessed any of the incidents should call the force contact centre on 0300 111 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.