Vandals are risking their lives to scrawl graffiti on Rochford's tallest landmark.

They are shinning up to the top of the 100 ft boiler house and a ladder to daub paint on the side of the disused hospital's chimney.

The latest message is a happy birthday greeting to someone called Tracy. One Rochford councillor who is appalled by the vandalism fears the culprits are treading a dangerous path.

Maureen Vince, Labour councillor for St Andrew's ward, said: "This is a Rochford landmark which has been defaced.

"I know the present owners are making efforts to keep vandals out, but while it is being developed, the temptation is always there.

"You can't quite make out what it says, but it doesn't look very nice to me. The district and parish councils are trying to help all they can with new facilities, and if youngsters let us know, we might be able to help out.

"It is a great shame someone has done this, and it was a very dangerous thing to do as well."

"I am assuming it was young people who have done this because I wouldn't think adults would be so foolish."

The boiler house in Rochford is owned by innovative developers Square Foot, which plans to turn it into 26 luxury flats.

It was bought by the company after the Rochford hospital site was sold to a number of developers.

A spokesman for Square Foot said they had been made aware of the graffiti.

He said: "We will have to take steps to solve the problem, and within a few months we are planning to start work on developing the boiler house."

Angry - councillor Maureen Vince points out the message above the former hospital site and, left, a close-up of the birthday greeting

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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