Pranksters have filled the Civic Centre fountain with soapsuds.

The fountain outside Southampton City Art Gallery was full to the brim with bubbles today.

It is believed the fountain was targeted on Friday night or the early hours of Saturday morning.

Passer-by Chris Nunneley snapped a photo of the soapy scene at midday.

He said: “It’s a bit of amusement provided for Sotonians on an otherwise dull Saturday.

“May I add bubbles not produced by me.”

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Chris shared the photo online, and residents shared their concerns that this would ‘encourage the council to turn the fountain off again’.

Others said the sight ‘put a smile’ on their face.

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: “Our maintenance team is responding to an incident involving the fountain outside Southampton City Art Gallery and Central Library.

"We appreciate that this may have been seen as a bit of fun but it has the potential to cause damage to a much-loved historical asset.

"The system will be drained and thoroughly cleaned – a process which is likely to cost hundreds of pounds – and so we expect the fountain to be out of action for a number of days.”