A DEFACED mural tribute to Colchester war heroes has been proudly restored by recovering veterans.

The Second World War bunker at Middlewick Ranges, in Mersea Road, Colchester, was originally decorated earlier this year, by youngsters in the National Citizenship Service.

Within six weeks, vandals had scrawled over their military-themed mural with spray paint.

In an attempt to clean the graffiti away, the youngsters’ work was also ruined.

After spotting an appeal in the Gazette, Help for Heroes have given the bunker a fresh new design, in vandal-proof paint.

Dave Harris, county and borough councillor for the Berechurch ward, co-ordinated the project, enlisting the help of Harwich artist, Stephanie Struth, and local veterans from the Help for Heroes Chavasse VC House recovery centre.

Troops visiting the range will now be greeted by a vibrant painted mural of the 16 Air Assault drop zone flashes, and the brigade emblem, Pegasus.

Veteran Ryan Lewis came up with the design, which was completed yesterday.

Claire Worland, communications and marketing manager for Chavasse VC House, said: “This has brought our beneficiaries together to work as a team, getting out and socialising.

“We are really pleased with the result.

“The best way I can describe it is it looks proud.

“It is proud of our armed forces and it’s great Help for Heroes can support this in any way we can.”

Mr Harris said: “When soldiers turn up here, their emblems will be sitting proudly on the side of the bunker.

“It will give the army a good feeling about how the community feel about them.

“We don’t want to lose these things. We want to protect them.”