Mindless vandals have caused hundreds of pounds of damage to public loos on Clacton seafront.

The Tendring District Council-run (TDC) Ambleside public toilet block, in Kings Parade, was targeted overnight on Monday (14 May).

All toilet seats, toilet roll holders and soap dispensers were ripped off and were thrown onto the beach, leaving taxpayers to foot a repair of roughly £300 to £400.

Councillor Peter Kotz, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Assets, said: “It is very disappointing that the toilets were vandalised during the Easter half-term holidays when many people will be visiting the town and need to use our facilities.

“We take pride in our services to residents, so it is very frustrating that money that could otherwise be spent on maintaining our facilities must instead be spent on repairing damage.

“I would like to thank residents and visitors for their patience while this issue was resolved and our staff for working quickly to ensure the toilets could reopen swiftly on Tuesday morning.

“I would urge anyone who spots vandalism or who witnesses suspicious behaviour at our facilities to contact the police.”

Witnesses to the incident are encouraged to report criminal damage directly to Essex Police at www.essex.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.