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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pub's pink paintwork poses puzzle | Pub's pink paintwork poses puzzle |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Mystery decorators are alleged to have painted a historic black-and-white Herefordshire pub bright pink during the night. | Mystery decorators are alleged to have painted a historic black-and-white Herefordshire pub bright pink during the night. |
| The owner and tenant of The Prince of Wales in Ledbury told police they had no idea who painted the Grade I listed building without permission. | The owner and tenant of The Prince of Wales in Ledbury told police they had no idea who painted the Grade I listed building without permission. |
| "The whole front of the building has been painted in a glorious Barbie pink," a police spokesman said. | "The whole front of the building has been painted in a glorious Barbie pink," a police spokesman said. |
| Officers are trying to decide whether it is criminal damage. | Officers are trying to decide whether it is criminal damage. |
| They said building regulations had been breached because no permission was obtained to paint the 16th Century property. | They said building regulations had been breached because no permission was obtained to paint the 16th Century property. |
| 'Good house' | 'Good house' |
| Landlord Les Smith and his wife Elaine arrived at the pub to discover the new colour scheme, according to the couple. | Landlord Les Smith and his wife Elaine arrived at the pub to discover the new colour scheme, according to the couple. |
| Elaine Smith said: "We left.. on Monday evening, and when Les came to open up at 8am the next morning the pub was pink. | Elaine Smith said: "We left.. on Monday evening, and when Les came to open up at 8am the next morning the pub was pink. |
| "We have no idea who did it. We've never had any bother with vandals and we keep a good house here - there is never any swearing or being abusive." | "We have no idea who did it. We've never had any bother with vandals and we keep a good house here - there is never any swearing or being abusive." |
| The decorators left a receipt for their work, saying "Invoice for works carried out at the Prince of Wales Pub, Ledbury, Herefordshire. Payment received - many thanks". | The decorators left a receipt for their work, saying "Invoice for works carried out at the Prince of Wales Pub, Ledbury, Herefordshire. Payment received - many thanks". |
| Carrying ladders | Carrying ladders |
| Pete Butcher, West Mercia Police spokesman, added: "Police have been unable to establish at this stage if the pink brushwork constitutes criminal damage or whether it is some form of prank or publicity stunt by persons unknown." | Pete Butcher, West Mercia Police spokesman, added: "Police have been unable to establish at this stage if the pink brushwork constitutes criminal damage or whether it is some form of prank or publicity stunt by persons unknown." |
| He said two men in overalls and carrying ladders and equipment painted the pub in Church Lane about 0600 GMT on Tuesday. | He said two men in overalls and carrying ladders and equipment painted the pub in Church Lane about 0600 GMT on Tuesday. |
| They left a receipt under the door, which contained false details, he said. | They left a receipt under the door, which contained false details, he said. |
| It will cost several thousands pounds to correct said police who have appealed for information. | It will cost several thousands pounds to correct said police who have appealed for information. |
| Mr and Mrs Smith, who have run the pub for six years, are planning to return the pub to its original black and white state as soon as possible. | Mr and Mrs Smith, who have run the pub for six years, are planning to return the pub to its original black and white state as soon as possible. |