Vandals have targeted the historic Pocahontas statue in the grounds of a town centre church.

The Grade II listed memorial marks her heroic role within English and American history, and was relisted by Historic England last year to mark the 400th anniversary of her death.

Gravesham council has confirmed that the graffiti has been removed after it was discovered yesterday.

Pocahontas was taken ill during a trip to the town in 1617, but the exact cause of her death is unknown.

The statue was built in the grounds of St George's Church, Gravesend, in 1975, after her original grave was lost during the 18th century.

The Native American is believed to have been around 23 when she died.

She is known for fostering peace between English colonists and Native Americans.

This is not the first time the iconic landmark has been targeted by vandals.

The feather attached to the headdress of the statue was damaged three times between 2010 and 2013.

Gravesham council was forced to obtain a cast of the feather from the replica statue in Jamestown, Virginia.

It cost almost £1,000 to replace in 2013 after being completely ripped off.

At the time of the incident, the damage was described as "shocking" by a spokesman for Gravesham Council.