A WIRRAL councillor is calling for more action to tackle the problem of graffiti after racist slogans were daubed in a children's playground.

Oxton Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Williams received telephone calls and emails from shocked residents living near to the playground behind Kwik Save's former premises in Woodchurch Road, Prenton.

On Monday morning they found offensive slogans sprayed on the ground and near to a rock-climbing wall. It is thought they were created over the weekend, but there are no clues as to who the offenders are.

At the time of going to press the graffiti was due to be cleared up. But a concerned Cllr Williams is calling for more action to tackle the problem. "This sort of behaviour has got to be discouraged among children and young people," she said. "Among the people who complained was an 80-year-old man, who served in a World War and was particularly offended by comments made about the Jews in one piece of graffiti. I think people do need to be educated on the fact that graffiti of this kind is offensive and not acceptable.'' Cllr Williams added: "We've wanted a playground on this site for many years and happily it's become a well-used facility. It's a lovely playground, but it's just very sad to see this very regrettable racist graffiti daubed around the place."

A council spokesman said: "We always take graffiti of this kind very seriously and instructed our staff to clean it off as soon as it was reported."