Soviet star in Russian city of Voronezh, in the Voronezh Oblast region turned into Patrick the starfish from SpongeBob Squarepants

Thrill-seeking pranksters have risked their lives and jail to turn a Soviet star on the top of a block of flats into SpongeBob's best friend Patrick Star.

The incident happened in the south-western Russian city of Voronezh, in the Voronezh Oblast region.

Most people will recognise the stars which also dominate the skyline of Moscow's Red Square which is full of buildings that were erected throughout the country's history including many from the Lenin era.

Police say they are currently looking for the person or persons that climbed on top of building 48 at night and gave the Soviet star a Patrick Star makeover.

They said that if they manage to find them, they will be charged with hooliganism the could see him jailed for up to 15 days, and also fined 1,000 RUB, approximately £12.

Local authorities said meanwhile that they are going to repaint the starfish back to being an ordinary Soviet star again. They said that if they can find them the cost of doing so of around 10000 RUB, £120, will also be charged to the hooligans.

If found the pranksters could face over two weeks in jail and more than £130, 11,000 RUB, in fines

There are many artefacts from the Soviet past left in Russia, including Lenin monuments, Soviet stars, streets named after prominent soviet people and prominent events. Most Russian treat them with respect and as a relevant part of Russian history.

The appearance of Patrick star on the top of the building sparked lively debate on social media.

Patrick Star is a well known character from the Nickelodeon cartoon and is a star fish that wears shorts and hangs out with his best friend SpongeBob

Netizen 'Aleksandr Aleksandrov' said: 'I would have left it to attract tourists.'

'Evgeniy Ognevenko' commented: 'Go go daredevils!'

And 'Baggymot' said: 'It is a pitty they did not slip while they were painting it.'

While social media user 'VVP' agreed about slamming the vandals saying: 'This is the part of our history, and Patrick is not.'