The organisers of the Moonfest music festival in Westbury could find themselves in court after complaints about their advertising methods in Devizes.

Adverts for the event, at Storridge Farm on Sunday August 30, appeared at the weekend on the parapet of Town Bridge in Northgate Street, a pavement in New Park Street and, most controversially, on the wall of the Grade II listed Bear Hotel in the Market Place.

The incident was reported to the police by Wiltshire councillor Nigel Carter.

Mr Carter said: “Most graffiti is unacceptable and this appeared to have been engraved on side of a listed property. It is a strange departure from the norm of advertising these kind of events and it should be discouraged.”

Acting inspector Andy Peach had no hesitation in describing the adverts as criminal damage.

He said: “Investigations are ongoing and could well lead to a prosecution.

“As far as I am aware, no permission was sought for these adverts and there is no question that it is criminal damage.”

But John Green, the organiser of Moonfest, was astonished to hear that what he described as “environmentally friendly” advertising was being described as criminal damage.

He said: “Our teams have been going out and using jets of recycled rainwater and templates to create these images by washing away some of the dirt on the surfaces.

“The images will start to fade in a few weeks and no damage has been done to the surfaces. To call it criminal damage is ridiculous. All that has happened is that we have removed some dirt.”

This year’s programme includes Justin Hawkins with his band Hot Leg and Eatstatic. Freestyle helicopter champion Dennis Kenyon will be putting on a display.

For more information about the festival visit www.moonfest. co.uk, e-mail Moonfest@ymail.com or ring (01793) 741630.