VANDALS have damaged a string of beach huts along Dovercourt seafront in an overnight wrecking spree.

About 11 beach huts were wrecked by hoodlums on last night in two seafront locations.

A total of four huts were damaged near West End Lane and about seven near Orwell Terrace.

A Harwich and Dovercourt Beach Hut Association spokesman said: "It was a particularly nasty night and we came down straight away.

"Some of the owners were aware and tried to restore some order in the pitch dark to put some repairs in place so they did not leave the huts completely open to the elements."

She said a dog walker disturbed a man he saw inside one of the huts and informed the police, giving them a detailed description.

He then notified the beach hut association in the morning.

"It was great he informed us and the police," she added.

It is now the fifth time beach huts along Dovercourt seafront have been targeted this year.

In June, several were damaged.

Back in April seven huts were vandalised, and ten huts were damaged overnight on March 30.

In February this year about 15 huts were either damaged or set on fire.

The spokesman added: "We want to put effort into the seafront so we can be proud of our town.

"Beach huts should be for people's leisure and not damaged."

The beach huts damaged in Orwell Terrace are owned by Tendring Council.

A Tendring Council spokesman said: “We deplore vandalism of any kind, and urge anyone with information about who may have committed these crimes to contact the police.”

If you have any information call Essex Police on 101.