VIRGIN Media have teamed up with Thurrock Council to combat graffiti in the borough.

Thurrock council announced today that they have joined up with Virgin Media to create an anti-graffiti partnership for Thurrock.

Virgin provides the cable television and telephone service to thousands of homes in Thurrock.

It has approximately 1,000 cable cabinets in the borough that can be the target of graffiti vandals.

Now the company has agreed to work with the council to provide a free supply of paint to tackle the problem.

Virgin and Thurrock Council have also agreed to work together to identify and prosecute graffiti vandals where possible.

Virgin Media spokesman, Neal Walshe said: ”We are delighted to be working with Thurrock Council to combat the anti-social menace of graffiti.

“We are confident that our joint efforts will result in a significant improvement in the local environment.”

Thurrock’s Cabinet member for Public Protection, Coun Ben Maney added: “Anti-social behaviour of this sort defaces our borough and I’m really pleased that Virgin have recognised this and are working with us.

“They are providing the paint and we will use it to cover any graffiti that is identified.”