AN historic landmarks has been hit again by “thoughtless” vandals who have covered it with graffiti.

Graffiti has been tagged onto Gloucester's St Oswald’s Priory parts of which are over 1,000 years old.

Gloucester City Council chiefs say they are aware of the vandalism and are contracting a specialist to visit the site to remove it.

Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Westgate), who represents the area on the authority, said she was absolutely shocked and upset that someone could do such a thing to an ancient monument.

“It is a thoughtless and imbecilic act, which shows complete and utter contempt to St Oswald’s Priory.

“This isn’t the first time graffiti has been sprayed, but this time is by far the worse! I just want to see it cleaned up and brought back to its former glory”.

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: “The council are aware of the graffiti on the St Oswald Priory and are instructing a specialist contract to remove it.

“The contractor is visiting the site today and the graffiti will be removed early next week.

“It’s very sad to see one of the city’s important historic sites treated in this way.

“The council have installed interpretation material at the site and have ensured that it is open to the public at all times.

“It is an example of the poor behaviour of a few ruining the enjoyment of the many.”

St Oswald’s Priory was founded by Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia, daughter of Alfred the Great, around 900AD.

The Priory Church, initially dedicated to St Peter, was constructed from recycled Roman stones.

During that time it was a bold and unusual move to build a church as there were frequent raids from the Vikings.

The site was first used as a Christian cemetery, but in 909 relics of St Oswald were taken there.

The building was rededicated to the saint and quite possibly Aethelflaed and her husband were later interred in the crypt.

Archaeological excavations in the 1970s revealed a 10th century fragment of carved slab from the grave of someone extremely important.