A Croydon mural of Batman and Superman kissing has been damaged in what the artist described as an act of "homophobic vandalism".

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A close up of the damage to the mural

Stencil artist Rich Simmons discovered a line had been gouged through the mouths of the superhero couple depicted in his Park Street mural while walking to work yesterday.

The damage appeared to have been caused by a sharp object, possibly a knife, he said.

Mr Simmons, who only finished the mural two weeks ago, said he considered the damage an act of "homophobic vandalism".

He said: "It's the same reason why I was getting abuse when I was painting it. You get some narrow-minded people.

"I knew it was a controversial piece and people would go both ways with it. But it's opening up a debate about gay rights, and also what it means to be a hero.

"You should see them as heroes regardless of their sexuality. It doesn't matter what background you’re from - what race, what religion, what sexuality - you can be a hero no matter what.

"But some people will see it and think, 'It's just a couple of gays.'"

The mural, which shows the kissing superheroes reflected in the sunglasses of a crying woman, was painted as part of the Croydon Arts Quarter, an ongoing project led by the Rise Gallery to promote street art across the borough.

Mr Simmons, who is the creative director at the gallery, said he had waited two years to find the right spot to paint the piece.

He added: "I would hope that people would be more respectful to other people's views in life and appreciate that everyone is different and it's all about love and positivity - it doesn't matter what your sexuality is."

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Rich Simmons by the mural

Gallery owner Kevin Zuchowski-Morrison said: "When you put things out in the public there is always going to be scrutiny.

"But we're a very diverse culture, and we should celebrate that instead of hiding it away in corners."

Mr Zuchowski-Morrison was also quick to stress that there was no link between the attack on Mr Simmon's mural and other recent damage to Croydon street art.

Croydon Council leader Tony Newman, who has a print of Mr Simmons' superhero mural hanging in his office, said: "I think it's absolutely appalling. What they have done has no place in Croydon. I would hope we have them on CCTV."