An anti-monarchy poster erected by Reading-based campaigners has been defaced.

The posters, which read ‘Make Elizabeth the Last’, were installed in Reading and cities across the UK on May 22 by the group Republic ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

But their hashtag, logo and images of members of the royal family were soon painted over in the town.

Speaking at the launch of their campaign, which crowdfunded more than £43,000, CEO Graham Smith said the fanfare for the the jubilee glosses over a fall in support for the royals.

READ MORE: You chose the 16 best fish and chip shops in Reading

“As we approach the end of the Queen's reign the country needs to start talking about moving on and getting rid of the monarchy."

"The Queen is the monarchy for most people, she's the one who sustains support for the institution.

“The idea that we should all sit back and accept Charles as our head of state is going to be questioned by a lot of people."

Billboards with the message #AbolishTheMonarchy went up in Reading, Manchester, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Dundee, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol.

According to the latest YouGov polling (April 28), 54 per cent of respondents believe the monarchy is good for Britain, while 13 per cent think it is bad.

READ MORE: Platinum Jubilee beacon locations in Berkshire

"The monarchy is wrong in principle, wrong in practice and it's bad for British politics. Without the Queen protecting the royals, with more controversial and divisive men in charge of the monarchy change will be much easier to achieve," said Mr Smith.

"These billboards are part of a wider move to generate a bigger, louder public debate about the future of the monarchy."

He continued: "The monarchy is increasingly out of touch and out of time. We need to prepare to move on and start electing our head of state."