As part of an operation to tidy up the shops and surrounding area in Cedar Road, probationers were brought in to remove graffiti from the walls.

Kettering Council's Kleen Sweep initiative also saw a wall re-built after it was smashed.

However, just days after tax-payers' money was spent on improving the area, vandals have un-done all the work and smashed the wall back down.

Louise Mason, who lives in nearby Rosewood Place, said it was inevitable that vandals would strike again.

Miss Mason, 30, said: "I thought when they were doing the clean-up that it was a waste of time because I knew it would soon be back to the way it was.

"The council can clean it up as many times as they want but the children have got no respect.

"I'm very disappointed because it did look better when it had been cleaned up.

"It's bad because when you tell people where you live, they assume you're like that too."

Miss Mason said despite her cynicism, she still thought that future clean-up efforts should go ahead.

She said: "I think the effort should still be made but it does give children the opportunity just to destroy things again – it's almost like a challenge to them.

"I think CCTV cameras should be installed so they can try to catch whoever is doing it.

"But then they might just damage the camera as well."

Councillor for the Avondale Grange ward, Paul Corazzo, gave this message to the people responsible for ruining the improvement efforts in Cedar Road: "Learn some self-control and respect for your area.

"This is the most pointless wanton destruction and vandalism I have ever witnessed in Avondale Grange."

The Kleen Sweep programme, which works with partner organisations to tackle crime and grime, has targeted several different wards in Kettering.