Reighton roundabout sheep sculptures daubed with red crosses

Red crosses have been daubed on sculptures of sheep on a North Yorkshire roundabout, drawing criticism from a local councillor.

The 2011 artwork includes a shepherd, his dog and a flock of five sheep and stands on the Dotterel roundabout, near Reighton, on the A165 between Bridlington and Filey.

The fibreglass sculptures were created by artist and teacher Ronald Falck, who died in 2018.

“I see this as an important landmark and I was absolutely horrified this morning,” said Sam Cross, a North Yorkshire Council representative for the Filey area.

Cross said he spotted them on his way to work in Bridlington and returned with methylated spirits and a scourer to try and clean the paint off.

“I’ve been scrubbing for half an hour and to be quite honest I think they are all going to need repainting,” he said.

“They’ve put thick red gloss paint on.”

A growing number of St George’s and union jack flags have been going up in cities, towns and villages across the country in recent weeks.

Groups responsible for putting up the flags have told the BBC they are motivated by pride and patriotism.

But others have said it feels provocative at a time when tensions are running high across England over the issue of immigration.

Cross said he respected the St George’s flag, but said they should not be painted on public sculptures.

“I am all for having flags on every building, but as for daubing with thick red paint I am totally against it,” he said.

“If you want to fly the flag, fly one on the top of your house.”

North Yorkshire Council was approached for comment.