Olympic gold postbox in honour of rower Kat Copeland defaced

Gold medallists Katherine Copeland (left) and Sophie Hosking were typical of the GB rowing team (Reuters)

A second postbox painted gold in honour of an Olympic champion has been defaced.

The box in Stockton, Teesside, in honour of rower Kat Copeland was vandalised with nicknames scratched into the surface.

Cleveland Police said: "We were made aware of the Olympic gold postbox having been vandalised by a member of the public.

"Two girls aged 11 and 15 from outside of the area are believed to be responsible and arrangements are being made by police to speak with them."

Copeland won gold in the women's double sculls alongside Sophie Hosking.

The box in the appropriately named Rings Road, Ingleby Barwick, is near to where she grew up.

A gold postbox in Sheffield honouring Jessica Ennis had to be repainted after it was defaced with the words "Go Jess".

PA