THERE are still few clues to the identity of a phantom painter who daubed a city shopping precinct in an array of vivid colours.

The Worcester News reported yesterday how the 'artist' painted a bench, cobbles and bricks on the Hopmarket's Citizens Advice Bureau with bright red, blue, yellow and purple paint - much to the shock of residents and shopkeepers.

But it has since come to light that the mystery person may have dropped a note through the door of shop, Kraft Korner, which looks out on to the bench.

It is rumoured to have explained the motives behind the random work of 'art' were to brighten up the city for all residents to enjoy, but no one was available to comment from the shop to confirm the contents of the message.

Citizens Advice Bureau manager Michael Gardener said he thought it had been done sometime over the Christmas break but he had no idea who the phantom painter could be.

He said: "The only trouble is, we have to clean it up and pay for the costs of the clean-up and we are, in fact, a charity.

"However, it was very nice of him or her to think of us and give us our very own Christmas decorations to brighten the place up. We just hope whoever it is comes back on Twelfth Night to take it all down ."

The painter is thought to have struck on a number

of previous occasions and each time a council worker has come and covered the work up with the traditional brown paint.

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said its Highways Department knew nothing of the incident or any previous vandalism, but added: "We will look into it and if anyone wants us to come and paint the bench back to its original colour they can contact us."

To contact the city council call 01905 722253.