A CENTURY old viewing platform has been vandalised with expletives and graffiti plastered across it.

The Belvedere, which sits on Cliff Parade, Leigh, has been targeted multiple times since plans to restore the platform were proposed around six years ago.

The project has seen unused toilets ripped out as well as stones dating as far back as 1911 uncovered from the undergrowth and reinstalled as bases in a seating area.

But the site has been plagued with vandalism.

A new art mural honouring those from Leigh who were lost during the First World War is set to be placed on the platform, but critics fear money has been wasted on the “white elephant”.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, said: “The vandalism of the Belvedere continues to get worse and worse. Local residents are becoming increasingly fed up with this behaviour, and the amount of money that continues to be wasted on this white elephant of a project.”

Defending the project, Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment and planning, insisted the viewing platform is an important part of Leigh’s history

She added: “People didn’t actually realise the platform was there, so after many years of lying in undergrowth, the hidden treasure that was the Belvedere was rediscovered along with its historic carved graffiti spanning two world wars and times in between and after.

“Although the structure has now been properly finished, sadly this took longer than expected and as we all know a derelict looking site attracts antisocial behaviour.

“The toilet blocks which have now been removed were vandalised and someone ended up pulling down fencing which had been put in the area.

“This case has now happened too.

“However, it’s very easy for a few to criticise and say it will just get vandalised - to throw in the towel on part of Leigh’s history would be a travesty and we shouldn’t be giving in to this behaviour, we should stand firm against it.”