VANDALS have ruined work by young offenders who have been carrying out a clean-up at the Redcar Racecourse's underpass.

Community safety wardens are now trying to track down the graffiti vandals, who have "signed" their work - Jazz and Anth 05.

Graffiti has been daubed along the length of the ten metre tunnel, linking the town's Lakes Estate with Redcar East, ruining the work that has been carried out by Jason Jefferson and Dean Allinson.

The clean-up is part of a partnership initiative between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's area management department and the Probation Service.

The work, which still has two to three weeks to go, has involved the removal of old wrought iron fencing and shrubs, plus painting of the underpass and its approaches.

Russell Portues, the Probation Service's scheme manager for the community punishment unit,said: "The offenders were absolutely gutted when they turned up to see all their positive work ruined by mindless vandals."

The council's cleansing manager Phil Lee said: "We are appalled at what has happened. But we are equally determined that the moronic activities of these vandals will not ruin what has been an excellent working partnership."