VANDALS on the rampage in Chiswick House Grounds struck again last Thursday, splattering graffiti all over a historic building.

A grade two listed lodge designed by Decimus Burton was covered in scrawlings.

The park's artist-in-residence, who uses the building as his studio, was appalled when he arrived on Friday morning.

He said the hooligans must have spent hours working on their disgusting masterpiece.

Mr Martin promised to paint out the damage within hours.

Although the the attack took place overnight, he added that recent cuts in daytime staffing at the park have not helped security.

"There used to be gardeners in the park five days a week - now it's one or two," he said. "This can't carry on - there is no security at all."

English Heritage has also shut the house down for the winter, further reducing the presence of workers on site.

The attack to the art studio comes just days after a cricket pavilion in Chiswick House Grounds was smashed up in a spree of destruction by vandals.

The anarchists broke through gates and doors to get inside the Chiswick and Latymer Cricket Club building, then hurled crockery around and stole 20 new cricket balls.

The cricket club had previously had practice nets ripped down and sight screens pulverised by vandals.

Graham Hall, fixtures and facilities secretary at the club, said members now live in fear that the cricket facilities will be burnt down, after arsonists torched a pavilion in Gunnersbury Park.

January 31, 2003 11:00