MURALS created by Kidderminster youngsters in an alley where a man was murdered six years ago was covered with obscene graffiti on the eve of its unveiling.

Councillor Frank Baillie, who presided at the ceremony in Piggy Alley last Friday, slammed the action as "disrespectful" and an "unbelievable act of vandalism". Birchen Coppice pupils Drew Wheeler and Dawn Saunders overpaint the vandalised mural in Piggy Alley.

The mural, by pupils at Birchen Coppice first and middle schools with help from Wyre Forest Community Housing and the district and county council, was part of a community project aimed at overcoming youngsters' fear of using the alley on the estate.

Last year researchers making a video on play facilities in the area found children were still afraid to use the alley between the middle school and Lickey Grove.

It followed the murder of 56-year-old carpet worker Moelwyn Davies by two men who beat him up and left him to die.

The Highways Partnership spent £10,000 widening the alley and improving lighting. The pig-themed mural on an alley wall, is part of an ongoing community arts project.

Councillor Baillie said he came to see the hard work carried out by children, residents and the Collective Arts Noise team and was met by an "unbelievable act of vandalism".

He said: "Who would get pleasure from doing this? Who thinks so disrespectfully of their neighbours and neighbours' families they would deface this work of obvious happiness and achievement?"

His comments were echoed by Mrs Janet Morris, headteacher at the first school, who expressed her deep disappointment at the daubing of obscene words over the mural.

She said: "The children did not say too much. One or two were wondering whether something like this would happen."

Mr Baillie said the arts team and others got together before the unveiling ceremony and cleaned the mural and overpainted part of it.

He said they had not let the "mindless destruction" beat them and he called on people to support the project.

He added businesses in the area would be consulted about support for the next phase of the project which could see permanent works of art installed in the alleyway.