Two Conservative boards pitched on the side of a main A-road in the Cotswolds have been vandalised with “kill the poor” and “save the rich” graffiti.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown, the Conservative candidate for The Cotswolds, said the act, pictured on the A435 outside Colesbourne, is “utterly deplorable”.

He confirmed they have now been taken down.

All candidates competing for The Cotswolds seat have condemned the act.

The A435 is the main road between Cheltenham and Cirencester.

The news comes two days after a sign for Conservative nominee for Cheltenham, Alex Chalk, had been defaced with red spray paint over his name.

Tory nominee Sir Geoffrey said: “It is utterly deplorable people would deface private property like this.

“If this is where we have got to in this country it is pretty poor behaviour.”

Labour candidate Alan MacKenzie said: “While this may be a representation of the anger people feel, this is still an act of vandalism and I do not agree with this kind of behaviour.”

Green party candidate Sabrina Poole said: “I would like to ask the public not to vandalise election signage, no matter how much they may dislike the person or party.

“The most powerful impact you can make is by voting for who you prefer on December 12.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster said: “We have some difficulties with some of our boards across the county.

“It is wrong for people to go and deface these boards and it is unacceptable. If people feel engaged to behave like this then they should join their party of their choosing and help them that way.

“It is very disappointing to hear that this has happened.”