A set of toilets at a Colchester gym had to be closed after they were vandalised with swastikas. 

The men's toilets at PureGym, in Sheepen Road, Colchester, were targeted at some point on Wednesday.

Staff closed the toilets while they were cleaned and they have since reopened. 

A poster that was put up in the gym at the time read: "Male toilets are currently locked due to vandalism.

"Please use the accessible to all toilet. 

"Apologies for any inconvenience."

Gazette: Vandalised - Swastika's were painted on the walls of PureGym in ColchesterVandalised - Swastika's were painted on the walls of PureGym in Colchester (Image: Contributed)

Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher condemned the incident, which he branded a "hate crime", and urged anyone with information to co-operate with Essex Police.

"It's totally unacceptable," said Mr Goacher.

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He added: "It is not the first time that I’ve had reports of Nazi symbolism being graffitied in places. There was an incident on the pathway down to Hilly Fields about six or seven months ago.

"Hopefully, we can catch whoever is doing it as it's something we need to deal with as swiftly as possible."

Gazette: Unacceptable - Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher condemned the incidentUnacceptable - Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher condemned the incident (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for PureGym said: "On Wednesday morning we were made aware of an act of vandalism in one of the toilet cubicles at our Colchester gym.

"We immediately closed the area in order to clean and repaint, which was completed quickly and the toilets are now open.

"We believe this was an isolated incident but are conducting investigations and the perpetrator will be banned from the gym."

Mark Goacher is standing for election. Other candidates standing in the Castle ward are:  Simon Crow (Con), Charlie Jasper (Lab), and Martin Gillingham (Lib Dem).