Aberystwyth primary school pupils are hoping to cover hateful graffiti with something more positive after a swastika was discovered under a bridge.

Year six pupils from Ysgol Plascrug School wrote to Caru Aber to urge them to help replace the swastika graffiti underneath Pen y Bont bridge, near Morrisons, with “something more positive”. The pupils also attached their own, collaborative designs that could cover the current graffiti.

Caru Aber co-founder Jeff Jones commended the “lovely” idea, and has since started looking into how much it would cost to clear it up and how to get the children’s mural painted there instead.

Pupil Sarah Jones said the class are “so pleased that our voices are being heard”.

Laura Purczynska added she was “shocked” by the Nazi symbol, and thanked Caru Aber for “coming to the rescue”.

Deputy headteacher Carol Macy, who teaches history to year six, said the children brought attention to the swastika graffiti during a discussion about World War Two, and the use of propaganda and symbols.

The children then decided to “write Caru Aber a letter asking for help to replace this offensive graffiti and replace it with something more positive”.

One pupil, Emily Tiley, wrote: “In our class, our theme is WW2, and today we have seen a picture of a piece of graffiti by Morrisons. The graffiti was a Nazi Swastika.

“It has caused me, and other pupils, distress.

“It really makes me rage knowing how offensive it is to Jews, The Black Community, Homosexuals and even more. It makes me feel embarrassed knowing I live near it.”

Another pupil, Nancy Pole, also wrote to say she felt “huge disappointment as a citizen of Aberystwyth”.

In a letter to Caru Aber, Nancy added: “Over the summer, I have noticed how you and your team of volunteers have worked non-stop to clean up Aber and make it a town to be even more proud of.

“The beautiful mural painted on Eastgate street is amazing and extremely eye catching.

“My wish would be for Caru Aber to use their fantastic art skills and transform the space under the bridge into a mural that will bring happiness and excitement to Aberystwyth.”

Jude Chapman said: “I have seen your community working to the breaking point and have seen your great amount of work that you and your team have put in free of charge.

“I have also seen your outstanding mural on Eastgate Street and I would love if you could restore Aberystwyth’s pride by removing the abomination under the bridge, to bring happiness in Aberystwyth instead of the disappointment under the bridge.”

The pupils offered their own designs for a mural, as well as the assistance of year six who would be “happy to help” in the effort to clean up the graffiti and create mural for the wall.