MINDLESS thugs broken into a charity garden causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

They forced their way into the Trust Links Growing Together Garden, Elm Road, Shoebury, smashing furniture and garden structures and throwing plants around the site.

The damage at the therapeutic garden, used by people with mental health difficulties, caused will cost at least £500 to fix.

This is the fourth time the charity garden has been targeted over the last few years.

Gareth Evans, 33, growing together manager, said,: “We have had damage to our wooden structures that go over our paths which were knocked over.

“Our potted plants were thrown around and have been ruined and some of our garden furniture was thrown into the pond.

“We have got to pay to get the wooden structures reinstalled in the garden.

“Our members have a sense of ownership so it is upsetting that someone has just come along and spoilt it.

“It’s a real shame as it undoes all the work we do.

“We had a break in in January and raised more than £900 for security cameras but it obviously doesn’t help deter the people doing this.”

He said following the break-ins, staff are worried they will have been targeted again when they arrive.

The charity took to Facebook calling for help with donations following the incident, on November 25.

Trust Links is a mental health and wellbeing charity working to support people with mental health problems.

It provides a range of services including therapeutic gardening through the Growing Together projects.

Essex Police confirmed officers are investigating and anyone with information should call 101.

To donate see www.trustlinks.org.