VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage after breaking into a grade-II listed building.
Yobs have smashed windows, torn down historic stone walling and damaged an original 1860s stairwell after illegally entering Grindal House in St Bees.
Numerous cast iron balusters have been kicked out and smashed and the hard wood handrail wantonly gouged with a sharp implement.
Fire extinguishers were also let off around the building.
The former St Bees School boarding house on Main Street is currently under offer, with plans for the grade-II listed building to be re-developed into accommodation.
Lewis Harrison, who used to board at St Bees School, is buying the property from the school and now faces a repair bill that will run into the thousands.
Mr Harrison said: “It’s some serious damage. I don’t think they have realised they’ve caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
“The old sash windows outside are all single glazed and they are going to have to be brought out and hand repaired one-by-one. It’s incredibly time consuming and expensive.
“The stairwell is all cast iron spindles. Heritage England want to keep that so we now have to find somewhere that we can get these spindles remade. They were kicking out the spindles.
“They are smashing everything they can just for the fun of it. We have eye witnesses and we know who they are.
“We’re going to start renovating it soon and do a good job of it. This is a bit of a hindrance.”
A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: “We were called at 2.40pm on September 2 to a report of damage to a listed building including windows smashed and a fire extinguisher let off.
“The incident is currently under investigation and we would urge anyone with information relating to this incident to report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit quoting the incident number.
“You can also phone on 101. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”
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