A woman whose window was deliberately covered in cream emulsion paint because she was displaying Liberal Democrat posters for the General Election says she believes the hate crime was politically motivated.

Jane Gibson, from Bradford on Avon, said she was “obviously very disappointed” that her home near the town bridge had been targeted by someone who had objected to the posters being displayed.

The paint has covered the glass panes of a window in the 17th century property, as well as part of the ancient stonework.

She said: “I don’t take it personally. It’s obviously politically motivated and I’m very disappointed.

“At first, I thought it was mud and I thought about taking it off and then I realised there was no mud out there.

“I started to scrape it off and then I thought no. I will leave it. It is the political situation and it’s awful at the moment,” said Mrs Gibson, 77.

It is believed the paint was thrown at her home at St Margaret’s Street on Sunday evening. Mrs Gibson discovered it on the Monday morning.

Mrs Gibson owns a pottery and art gallery at her home and is the mother of local Wiltshire and town councillor Sarah Gibson, who is a Liberal Democrat.

Local police have appealed for witnesses after the house was deliberately covered in cream paint overnight.

Officers investigating the criminal damage urged anyone in the area who may have seen something suspicious or may have dash cam footage to review it and get in touch.

PC Michelle Haley, from Wiltshire Police, said: "We are keeping an open mind as to the motives of this criminal damage but it is highly likely that this is because of the political poster displayed.

"Politics is a particularly divisive subject at this time but it is not acceptable to deliberately target and deface someone's property because you don't agree with their views."

Similar incidents have taken place in Melksham and Broughton Gifford in recent weeks during the General Election campaign.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and quote crime reference 54190119398.