VANDALS have wreaked a summer of destruction on a Loughton nature reserve - to the despair of wardens.

Thousands of pounds worth damage has been inflicted on property at the Roding Valley Meadows, and officials are pointing the finger of blame at local youths.

Essex Wildlife Trust warden Patrick Bailey said: “We have had people rampaging through, smashing gates, doing an awful lot of damage to fences, and setting fire to bins.

“There's always problems over there but this year has been particularly bad. We had a really nice beginning to the summer and it really encouraged a lot of people to come out for anti-social behaviour.

“It's the worst I've seen in my time on the trust. It's just a lack of respect for the area. It's beyond me why anyone would want to cause so much damage.

“We work with volunteers so it's taking up a lot of volunteer time. In terms of materials, in one weekend alone there was well over £1,000 of damage. We had two fences, gates and railings smashed up in one evening.”

Committee member Ken Angold-Stephens blamed the problem on local youths saying that much of the vandalism has been committed during weekends.

He added: “It's causing us a huge amount of concern. As well as the damage it's costing us a lot of money. We are pretty sure it's all local youths. The police don't seem to be as actively involved as they should be. Something has to be done. This amount of damage is unbelievable.”

Mr Bailey said: “There's not much we can do, as I'm out there on my own. I just have to appeal to the public: if they notice any anti-social behaviour contact myself or the police.”