Vale veterans have expressed their “disgust” after the war memorial in Christie Park was sprayed with graffiti.

Police have launched an enquiry to identify the person or persons responsible after graffiti was reportedly sprayed onto the cenotaph between May 12 and 19.

Ex-serviceman and MSP for West Scotland, Maurice Corry, who is also the Scottish Parliament’s armed forces and veterans community convener, said: “I’m disgusted to learn that the Christie Park war memorial has been vandalised.

“Many people within the area, and further afield will be saddened about this.

“For the memorial of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents who fought and lost their lives for our freedom to be vandalised is deplorable. This is not the behaviour Alexandria wants to be associated with.”

Representatives of the Armed Forces Veterans Association, based at Dumbarton Central Station, expressed “shock” at the news, dubbing the incident “a disgrace”.

Billy Muir, of the Veteran’s Association, said: “To be quite honest it’s bad education on why these memorials are here.

“The memorial has got a lot of community support over there, there are a lot over people who will be upset about that.”

The memorial, which was officially unveiled back in 1921, has now been cleared of the markings by the council.

Local councillors also united to condemn the vandalism, with council leader Jonathan McColl dubbing the vandalism of a memorial “sinister”.

“Vandalism in any form is stupid and antisocial. It’s takes a special kind of numpty to get a kick from damaging others’ property,” he said.

“To disrespect those who’ve given their lives to protect us is disgusting and I urge anyone who knows anything to help the police with their enquiries. I’m pleased to say that our team was able to restore the memorial to its former state.”

Leven councillor Caroline McAllister also expressed her upset at the incident, calling it “distressing”.

“There are many civic minded people working hard to improve our area and this is an insult to them also,” she said.

Councillor John Millar, who also represents the Leven ward, said: “The graffiti vandalism on the Christie Park war memorial is an absolute disgrace and a lack of respect for what the memorial stands for.

“The person or persons responsible should hang their heads in shame.”

Police are looking for any information regarding the incident.