More than 32,000 metres of graffiti has been cleared this year in an effort by Network Rail to "freshen up Britain's railway".

A total of 196 sites have already been tackled across the Kent route with five more locations in the county expecting a clean up.

Funding of more than £2 million has been allocated by Network Rail to target the removal of graffiti in the South East during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.

Regional teams identified the problem areas and dispatched teams to remove spray-painted tags.

The teams have also been applying anti-graffiti paint where possible in the hope this will prevent the area becoming a target again in the future.

More than 450 sites have been cleared of graffiti in the South East including high-profile sites such as Hungerford Bridge – outside Charing Cross - which is on the Kent route.

Network Rail is also working in partnership with Canterbury City Council’s graffiti team, replacing the graffiti tags in Stream Walk, Whitstable, with a painted mural.

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “We have a wonderful and historic railway in Britain with engineering marvels spanning back to Victorian times, but all too often it is blighted by unsightly graffiti and vandalism which is an eyesore for our passengers and railway neighbours.

“Our teams have been working extremely hard to remove graffiti and to make the railway more inviting.

This is no easy task and cannot be done overnight but I know that this investment will make a real difference to communities and our passengers across the country”

As well as removing the graffiti already in place and investing in prevention measures, British Transport Police are also working to stop the problems before they start and arresting those suspected of being involved with high profile tags.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps believes this work is important to ensure everyone is comfortable when travelling on the railways.

He said: “Everyone should feel safe and comfortable when travelling on our railways and graffiti isn’t just a criminal offence or eyesore, it can also lead to passengers feeling that railways are unkept or a slightly dangerous way to travel."

“I’ve asked Network Rail to tackle this problem so passengers can travel safely and enjoy their journey and the views our railways offer.”

To report people vandalising the railway or acting suspiciously, contact the British Transport Police via text on 61016 or by phoning 0800 405040.