THE owner of a Burnham-on-Sea vape shop said she is 'angry' after vandals defaced artwork on three businesses in the town.

Artwork by John D'oh and Burnham Spray Jam which adorns the walls at The Victoria Hotel, Nick Tolley Photography and Vape Escape has been hit by vandals who tagged the artwork with silver spray paint earlier this week.

Leanne Underhill, owner of Vape Escape, said: "This makes me feel quite angry as we are trying to do our best for the community by putting on an event here for BOSfest and someone has come along and defaced our poster.

"I haven't reported it to the police yet but will be reviewing our CCTV this week to see what happened and so we know who did this."

Nick Tolley, owner of Nick Tolley Photography on Abingdon Street, said he is 'sad' as his business was also hit as vandals defaced a picture of a shark which was done by members of Burnham Spray Jam as well as shutters at his shop.

And, John D'Oh, a Bristolian artist who painted a piece featuring Salvador Dali and Albert Einstein on the side of the Victoria Hotel on Princess Street, said his work was hit by vandals and he hopes the vandalism won't affect BOSfest.

He said: "I find it very disheartening especially as quite a few artists have painted in Burnham over the last couple of years.

"They try to show that street art and graffiti can brighten up a city rather than be seen as vandalism and can even generate tourism.

"I understand that there is a bit of a divide in Burnham with the artwork that adorns the walls and incidents like this only makes it more difficult for paint festivals to take place as landlords and property owners become more reluctant to allow their properties to be used as canvases.

"It is up to the businesses to come together really and involve the local police. I just hope negative publicity doesn't affect the festival."

Sophie Nicholson from Burnham Spray Jam said the group is already making plans to cover up the vandalism and said it is disappointing for the town. 

"We have plans to sort the problems that have occurred but I will ask whoever it is that has done it to come forward, apologise and be there when we make right the wrong that’s been done," Sophie said. 

"If these youths would like to show the spray artists next weekend what they are capable of then I’m happy to keep a board free but please don’t deface other art that has many hours, time and effort put into it.

"Massively disrespectful and disappointing for this small town."