The expression "painting the town red" took on a whole meaning when vandals launched an astonishing graffiti attack outside Tooting's Graveney School.

Residents woke up on Tuesday morning to find the paint daubed all over a section of Welham Road, covering street signs, the road surface, lampposts, barriers, bollards and railings.

Crude and offensive phrases and imagery were also spray-painted on walls and wooden fences, while the vandals even covered litter bins from top to bottom.

It is not known whether they attack was carried out by a disillusioned former pupil or a student from a rival school.

Wandsworth Council, who sent a team of cleaners to remove the paint, have estimated the graffiti caused about £2,000 worth of damage.

To report graffiti, residents and businesses can use a 24-hour telephone hotline 020 8871 7049, email graffiti@wandsworth.gov.uk or report it online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/graffiti.