OFFENSIVE graffiti including racist slurs and Nazi-related symbols have been drawn on the structure of an old building, which sits in the midst of a well-loved beauty spot.

The graffiti, which is on the walls around the Vange Well in One Tree Hill, Langdon Hills, has been met with outrage from council bosses, who are determined to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

It includes a number of racially insensitive slurs and symbols such as swastikas and SS signs – both of which are closely associated with the Nazi regime.

A park visitor, who wished to remain anonymous,was first alerted to the alarming drawings when taking pictures of the old structure.

The 37-year-old from Basildon, said: “We visited on Saturday. We hadn’t been there for a while – at least maybe since the beginning of the year. It was my husband who spotted the swastikas as I was taking pictures of the structure itself.

“This definitely hasn’t always been on there and there were quite a few around the building and on the posts too.

“I saw one SS sign and my husband spotted the N-word on a wall around the back. We didn’t stay long as we didn’t want our daughter to read it.

“I reported it to both Basildon and Thurrock Councils.

The poor quality of it makes it look like it’s been done as a joke or just a wind up by some kids, but people don’t realise or understand how important the issue is.”

Basildon mayor David Burton-Sampson said: “This is absolutely appalling. There is no place for racism in our society full stop, and the Nazi-related symbols are something that should have died out along with the movement at the end of World War Two.

“Nobody should be made to feel they don’t belong, but something unfortunately we are seeing regularly, what with the recent rise in hate crime across Essex. Let’s respect each other for what we are, rather than inciting hate.”

Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, added: “This is something I have reported to council officers who went to the site yesterday to assess the problem. 

"After attending, the Cleansing Supervisor has confirmed that this sits on Thurrock Council land.  We have arranged to contact our Thurrock colleagues to take appropriate action."

Thurrock Council were contacted for comment.