BAD-TASTED jokers created an unsavoury message by removing two letters of a town centre pub sign, leaving passers-by shocked at their crude humour.

The sign outside the County of Suffolk pub, in St Helen’s Street, was altered when letters were removed to spell an offensive word.

The currently disused pub is owned by the Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company, which pledged to take action quickly in light of being informed of the vandalism.

The sign, which is now missing two letters from the word ‘county’, is thought to have been changed in the days leading up to Christmas.

Lucy Hall, spokeswoman for Star Pubs and Bars, said: “We have been made aware that vandals have tampered with the County of Suffolk sign to make it in to an offensive name.”

The spokeswoman said they had been made aware of the sign on New Years Eve and were aiming to get contractors on site as soon as possible.

She said all of the lettering was due to be removed as soon as possible.

A police spokesman said they had no crimes logged over the vandalism.

The pub had its licence revoked in May 2012 following a decision by a licensing committee.

It remains boarded up, despite a successful appeal by Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company to get the licence back.