Alarm has been raised after a structure on the country’s largest scheduled monument was defaced with graffiti.
White, yellow, blue, black, pink and red spray paints were used to create the graffiti on Lands Viaduct, on Cockfield Fell.
County councillor for the area Jill Campbell said she was alerted to the vandalism by a resident.
She said: “I have taken photos and reported it and asked that everything is done to get it cleaned up.
“It defaces an important historical structure that is part of the Cockfield Fell Heritage Walk.
“One resident described it as a ‘Sycamore Gap’ moment and I totally understand where he is coming from.
“This is a much-loved feature and it is so sad that it has been desecrated in this way.
“People don’t have much these days, but their history and countryside are two things they can freely enjoy and this selfish act diminishes both those pleasures. It’s all very sad.”
The viaduct was built in 1863 by Thomas Bouch for the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway which connected Barnard Castle to Bishop Auckland.
It was dismantled in 1964.
Cockfield Fell, covering almost 350 hectares, is recognised as England’s largest scheduled monument.
