VANDALS who have scrawled over a park's tribute to the Queen have been branded as "vile specimens of life."

The graffiti was spray painted over the mural which was installed as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in Abbey Street Park - also known as 'Gornal Rec.'

Dudley News: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec"Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec" (Image: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec")

Members of the park's friends group are "distraught" after they found the vandalism when arriving for a litter pick this morning (Monday September 12).

They said on Facebook: "To say we are fuming is an understatement!

"We are in national mourning for the loss of our dear Queen and some vile specimens of life have decided it would be a great idea to destroy Gornal's tribute to her late Majesty on reaching her Platinum Jubilee by signing their names in the mural.

"How dare you.

"If you see your child's name in the pictures, ask them where they were when they went out over the weekend.

"Someone knows who has done this."

Dudley News: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec"Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec" (Image: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec")

The pictures in the mural represent Gornal history and community and the Queen.

They are also a nod to a very special man Paul Greenaway who was the friends' groups vice chair.

He passed away last Christmas.

A group spokesman said: "He was a huge community hero in Gornal's many community groups."

Dudley News: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec"Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec" (Image: Friends of Abbey Street Park "Gornal Rec")