MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a phantom painter who has daubed a city bench with a rainbow of colours over the Christmas holiday.

The 'artist' is believed to have struck under the cover of darkness and crept into The Hopmarket shopping precinct without anyone seeing a thing.

Perplexed shopkeepers and residents woke to find the brown public bench outside Kraft Korner

transformed into a mass of red, blue, yellow and purple stripes - though to be an attempt to brighten up the city in some way.

And the arty dodger has even neatly painted four cobbles in front of the bench and a number of bricks on the opposite Citizens Advice Bureau's (CAB) wall in the striking colours.

Assunta Somerbille, of Assunta's Stitch and Sew in The Hopmarket, said lots of people stopped to look at the bench but explained she had no idea who the culprit could be.

"I get here as early as 7.30am but the bench was already painted so goodness knows when he does it.

"It is really quite a mystery. Very weird."

The phantom painter is believed to have struck two or even three times before, and each time council workers have painted the bench back over with traditional brown. It is thought, however, this is the first time he or she has targeted the cobbles and walls of other buildings.

Resident of The Hopmarket flats and chairman of the residents' committee, John Renwick said Worcester City Council should just leave it as it is.

"At first I thought it was students having a laugh but now I think it is one person who just wants to brighten up the place.

"I don't see what the fuss is all about. When you walk past the bench it brightens up your day and is really quite nice.

"Apparently it doesn't fit in with the intended dcor of the Hop Market but I think it should be left as it is to cheer people up."

No-one from Worcester City Council was available to comment on the bench and whether it would be re-painted again as the Worcester News went to press.

The CAB was closed for the festive break and it is not known if staff are aware the building has received a different kind of Christmas decoration.

A spokesman for West Mercia police said he was unaware of the situation but added: "We are grateful to the Worcester News for bringing this incident to our notice.

"Painting - no matter how carefully or how colourfully executed - by individuals of public facilities, structures and buildings constitutes an offence of criminal damage, just as grafitti does."

He added the force would now look into the incident.

l Are you the phantom painter? Do you know who it is trying to brighten up the Faithful City for other residents? If so call our Newsdesk on 01905 742244.