GRAFFITI artists went Obama barmy over the weekend as unseasonally warm weather hit Hereford city centre.

Onlookers were left wondering if the sun had gone to their heads when the USA president’s face popped up on local landmarks.

But those dedicated to maintaining them were less amused and blamed the vandalism on a “catastrophic break-down” in litter collections.

Herefordshire councillor Mark Hubbard said removing the stencilled images from the Nelson Monument at Castle Green, the King George V Playing Fields and the Victoria Footbridge would cost a fortune.

“We had a glorious sunny Friday last week and more than 300 people were enjoying the Castle Green until nightfall,” he said. ”By Friday evening all of the bins were full to overflowing and the green was strewn with rubbish.”

But the litter collections due there on Saturday morning never took place.

“Everyone knows that when an area looks neglected it attracts even more anti-social behaviour,”

said Coun Hubbard, chairman of the Friends of Castle Green.

Alison Grange, spokesman for Herefordshire Council, admitted a “serious breakdown” in street cleaning services and that staffing and communcation issues were being investigated.

“The findings of the investigation will be used to ensure that consistency in Amey’s services is maintained in the future,” she said.