CONCERNS have been raised about spreading graffiti after a disused eyesore petrol station was spray-painted.

It is believed the new graffiti has been carried out by the same person who created a remembrance themed mural on a scheduled ancient monument along Dovercourt seafront. They are thought to go by the name Aroma and come from Ipswich.

In the past week new spray-painting appeared on the old petrol station at the end of West Dock Road in Parkeston next to Harwich International Port.

On the front of the boarded-up building a colourful tag has been painted with the letters TZW in the bottom right corner.

Then on the side of the building, facing the road, an intricate eye with a bright blue iris has been painted - it is thought this was spray-painted on Saturday.

On Monday another mural appeared with a huge lion head acting as the ‘o’ in Aroma.

Dave Priestnall, from Harwich, posted a picture of the new artwork on his Facebook page.

He said: “I think it’s a great but will the all the others follow with the rubbish graffiti?”

But Fern Jones has applauded the artist.

She said: “The petrol station is the first impression of Harwich Town, and indeed England, the tourists from the cruise ship, daily ferries and trains see.

“I’ve watched the cruise ship passengers taking photos of it. It’s embarrassing.

“If Aroma the street artist wants to brighten it up, good on him. The petrol station currently just has teenage swearing and graffiti over it. It will make the garage look far better than it currently stands. It will bring attention for someone to change the situation as it currently stands.”

Tendring councillor for Parkeston Bill Davidson branded the petrol station as “disgusting” and has called for action to tidy up the site.

He said: “For people coming out of the port and seeing that, it’s disgraceful.

“I’ve been campaigning for four years and never been able to get anything done.

“Now I’m district councillor I’m going to get on that more.

“We want blue boards around it if they don’t want to do anything with it.”

The latest graffiti comes just weeks after a mural first appeared on the side of a wartime fort, part of Beacon Hill Fort, along Dovercourt seafront.

Some residents praised the artwork, showing a Spitfire and warship with red poppies, as being ‘poignant’ but others said it was not appropriate on an historic building.

Owners Tendring Council called for protected buildings to be respected but has not made a decision on whether to remove the graffiti.