A much-loved nursery has been vandalised two months after it closed, angering people living nearby.

Westgate Nursery in Highworth was rated outstanding by Ofsted but was forced to close due to rising costs.

Now black and red profane language has been spray painted on the walls, including many related to child sexual abuse.

One eyewitness said: “When driving past the old nursery, on the Blunsdon Road, earlier, I was saddened (and angered) to see that the local half-wits had been out with their spray cans. 

“The front of the building has black paint over it with some very nasty and, probably slanderous, words.

“The For Sale sign has 'sold' on it so the new owner is now faced with cleaning up the mess. There is NO excuse for this.”

Swindon Advertiser: Westgate Nursery, Highworth, has been vandalised

The nursery looked after three-month to three-year-olds since 1991 and was "much loved" according to its property listing. It is set to be converted back into a house under plans submitted to Swindon Borough Council.

Parents at the time were "gutted" to hear of its closure which was seen as a "massive loss for the town".

Now, people were upset at the vandalism of the site.

Another person said: “I saw this earlier too, very sad to see. Really just not necessary at all.”

One person said it ‘looks awful’ and reported seeing police at the scene.

Wiltshire Police have been contacted for comment.