The 232-year old lock up which features on Everton's club crest has been vandalised in the wake of Liverpool's Champions League triumph.

Evertonians reacted with dismay on social media after the number '6' - thought to refer to Liverpool's sixth European Cup success - was painted on the ancient structure overnight following Liverpool's triumph in Madrid.

Originally an overnight holding place where local drunks and criminals were taken by parish constables, the tower was built in 1787.

A depiction of the lock up, on Everton Brow, has appeared on Everton's club crest since 1938.

In 2003, a plaque was added to the building stating the importance of its sporting association and i n May 1997 Everton donated £15,000 to help renovate the structure.

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Known locally as Prince Rupert's Tower, the structure was, in fact, erected 143 years after Prince Rupert's Royalist Army camped in the area during the English Civil War Siege of Liverpool in 1644.

It is likely the name arose because Everton Brow was historically where preparations were made to attack the Parliamentarian garrison holding Liverpool Castle.

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Prince Rupert, as commander of the Royalist cavalry of King Charles I is said to have looked down on the fortress and dismissed it with the words: "It is a crow’s nest that any party of schoolboys could take!"

It eventually fell after a week of heavy fighting and the loss of 1,500 of his men.

The Brick Pub also had graffitti scrawled on it.