TWO pieces of sculpture have been vandalised at a North-East picnic spot - only days after they were put up.

They were put into place at Forest-in-Teesdale near Barnard Castle, County Durham last Thursday. It is part of Britain's first geo-park, denoting its geological importance.

At the weekend, whitewash was thrown over the carved art works, one of which was decorated with tiles made by pupils at the local primary school.

The sculptures, with carvings of ancient fossils, were made by Phil Townsend, of Eggleston, and were commissioned by officials of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Mr Townsend said: "I can't imagine how anyone would want to harm objects which are intended to enhance the importance of this place."

The sculptures were placed 57 metres apart, with each millimetre representing 10 million years, marking the 570 million years since the start of the Cambrian period and the first primitive life in Britain. Each pupil designed a tile marking periods in the earth's history. The £4,000 project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The sculptures were due to be steam cleaned last night. Chris Woodley-Stewart, the North Pennines AONB officer, said he hoped this would remove the damage.

Kath Toward, chairman of the school governors and a member of the AONB partnership, said: "I am speechless with anger about this. The pupils and their parents will be furious that their efforts have been vandalised so quickly."

Insp Kevin Tuck, head of Teesdale Police, said: "It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to damage objects intended to enhance the area."