Vandals have daubed Mistley's famous swans with paint.
The swans which grace the River Stour have been painted in gold, red and turquoise.
Alex Smith, of Swans in Need, said: "At first I thought perhaps some paint had been spilled from one of the ships at the quay and the swan had swum through it, but then I noticed two others had red paint on them."
Mrs Smith was worried about how the paint would affect the swans and contacted a vet. She was advised it would be better to leave the paint alone and let it gradually wash off.
"I was told if we tried to clean the swans, we might do more harm than good," said Mrs Smith.
She appealed for help in catching the vandals.
Anyone who can help trace the paint sprayers should ring police on 01206 392611 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
Daubed - one of the sprayed-on swans
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