A County Durham pub has hit back at vandals that destroyed a new football-inspired mural hours after it was created at the venue. 

On Saturday (August 19), The High Crown at Chester Le Street commissioned a local artist to design a Newcastle United mural, featuring Brazilian player Joelinton, with the words 'Toon, Toon, Black & White Army' accompanying it.

The new bold design soon divided opinion, with some taking to social media to praise the "incredible work" of the artist, while others threatened to "boycott" the establishment for backing Newcastle United- claiming that Chester Le Street "has always backed Sunderland".

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However, by Sunday (August 20) morning, the design was vandalised after having food thrown over it. 

Despite clearing off the food and adding more football crests, including Sunderland, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, the pub has now issued a strong message for those that vandalised the venue. 

The Northern Echo: The pub after they added other club crests to the muralThe pub after they added other club crests to the mural (Image: THE HIGH CROWN)

Posting on social media, the owners of The High Crown said: "Our windows are finished, can people be mindful that Immy (thr artist) has spent a lot of time on these and whilst it won't please everyone, we do NOT expect for them to be defaced and ruin all her hard work.

The Northern Echo: The pub initially did a mural of Joelinton on the windowThe pub initially did a mural of Joelinton on the window (Image: THE HIGH CROWN)

"We do welcome all football supporters to our pub we have advertised this to support the teams that are playing in the Premier league."