A "graffiti squad" is operating in areas of North Tyneside to clean-up buildings blighted by the growing number of street artists.

The team, which is taking to the streets on Tuesday, will use the latest equipment to remove the handiwork and record what has been painted to help potential police prosecutions in the future.

Targeting graffiti was one of North Tyneside Mayor Chris Morgan's promises when he came into power in May this year.

In July, Mr Morgan announced �8m cutbacks had to be made because of an overspend inherited from the previous Labour administration.

Graffiti is one of the major things that destroys the quality of life for people living in North Tyneside

Mayor Chris Morgan

But he said the �80,000 it would cost each year to keep the streets clear of graffiti was money well spent.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "In the past there have been many mixed messages put out about graffiti, but I want to make one thing very clear, in North Tyneside graffiti is not art, it is a menace.

"The additional team together with the existing effort will cost us �80,000 a year, so it is not cheap.

"We are strapped for cash, but I think this is exceptionally important.

"Graffiti is one of the major things that destroys the quality of life for people living in North Tyneside, it contributes to a fear of crime and it ruins local environments.

"The team will record the graffiti to help the police to prosecute and we will be calling on parents and schools to educate young people about graffiti."