An art project completed by young people in High Wycombe has been “mindlessly” vandalised - leaving one of the teenagers who painted it devastated.

More than 1,200 young people were involved in an inspiring conservation project called Young Roots, involving Chiltern Rangers and Wycombe Youth Action, which aimed to improve the River Wye last year - and as part of a trail from the town centre to Kingsmead, artwork depicting nature and wildlife was created and displayed.

However, their hard work has been ruined by vandals, who spray-painted graffiti over the top on Monday.

The painting of two birds that has been sprayed over was created two years ago and put up at Funges Meadow nature reserve in Bowden Lane.

Dan Wilson, a High Wycombe artist who helped lead the project, said: “It was such a fantastic project and it has been horrendously and mindlessly vandalised. It is such a shame.

“It was painted by three teenage girls. I showed one of them the damage and she was really upset about it.

“It has been on the wall for less than a year. It’s awful.”

He is now appealing for anyone with information to get in touch with police so the culprits can be caught.

The ruined painting will be removed and “hopefully” replaced.

All the painting that were put up were created by 11 to 18-year-olds.

To share information with Thames Valley Police, call 101 quoting crime reference number 43180272443.