A LARGE tree which was vandalised with paint in Abingdon could only be partly cleaned due to concerns about damaging it.

The fir tree, which is in the middle of Albert Part, had bright green graffiti over the base of the trunk and across some of the branches last week.

Oxford Mail: The tree damaged with paint last weekThe tree damaged with paint last week

A passer-by informed Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, on St Helen’s Wharf, who own the park and the hospital’s park keeper cleaned most of it away.

However some of the paint can still be seen due to fears that cleaning it away completely would damage the tree.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: “As you can see it is not completely cleared, but short of damaging the tree, the park keeper has done a really good job in removing the offensive part of the graffiti.”

Oxford Mail: The park keeper was fearful of damaging the treeThe park keeper was fearful of damaging the tree

The passer-by who spotted the graffiti reported it to Thames Valley Police who reiterated that it would be up to the landowner to remove it.

A spokesman said: “Our stance on vandalism would be to encourage anyone who sees it to report it to us on 101 or our website.”