The family of a teenager whose gravestone was vandalised within 24 hours of erection at Wick cemetery condemned those responsible for throwing paint on it.

Seventeen-year-old James Watt's gravestone was covered in white paint late last night or early this morning in an act which appears to have deliberately targeted the site with no signs of other vandalism close by.

Earlier this afternoon, James' sisters Priscilla and Frances Watt hit out at the "disgusting" act and set about cleaning off the white paint that was splashed over the black gravestone from top to bottom.

According to a council worker at the site today an empty paint can was found in a field adjacent to the cemetery.

Priscilla said: "We heard about it this morning. It's totally disgusting." As she wiped down the stone, Frances added: "Whoever did it is sick in the head. They'll be found out."

Members of the family shared an image of the paint-splashed gravestone on Facebook and many locals commented on the "horrific" and "vile" act.

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James passed away suddenly on October 10 last year in what Frances called a "drugs" related incident.

The sisters said they will visit the grave every day now to make sure there is no recurrence of the vandalism.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a report of vandalism to a gravestone at Wick Cemetery, which is believed to have happened between Wednesday, 17 March and Thursday, 18 March. Enquiries into the matter are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting incident 1303 of 18 March. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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