A sign placed on Minchinhampton Common in an attempt to make drivers reduce their speed has been defaced.

The 'road safety cow' sign has been painted over with the words 'Beef Saves Us' scrawled over the top.

Commenters on social media have reacted angrily with one saying: "What is wrong with people."

The cardboard cow was named Patience, and known as Pat for short. It was first placed on the common by Stroud Police in August 2019.

Stroud News and Journal:

What the sign used to look like

Hundreds of cows graze freely on the commons at Minchinhampton, Rodborough and Selsley throughout the summer months. There are regular casualties and at the end of August police were forced to shoot a young cow after it was hit by a car.