A FORMER Benefits by the Sea star has hit out at the “scum of the earth” who smashed their way into her community kitchen in Jaywick.

Thugs broke into the donated caravan in Morris Avenue, which is home to Boo’s Community Kitchen, before stealing cash.

Lorraine “Boo” Vaughan turned her back on the Channel 5 reality TV show earlier this year to pursue her dream of opening a community cafe in Brooklands, which is officially listed as the most deprived area of the country.

Lorraine had been unemployed for 12 years after suffering family issues, including her father’s death and the breakdown of her marriage, which she said led to a nervous breakdown.

She said the callous crooks smashed a window and damaged the window frame during the break in.

“They’re the scum of the earth – they’re lower than low,” she said.

“They are robbing the community. It’s a self-funding kitchen to help feed the people here.

“It does hurt when someone does this – I’m here helping the community and I’ve stopped counting how many people we have fed.

“I was having a day off and my daughter and son-in-law arrived to open up at 6.30am and found there had been a break in.

“What made us laugh is that whoever broke in left DNA at the scene after drinking one of the kids’ drinks and leaving the cup behind.

“They broke in through the back side windows of the caravan.

“They didn’t cause much damage inside and the equipment is OK, they were just after the float money, which they took – it was about £50 or £60.

“They have robbed the wrong person – I have got a lot of followers around here – and I hope the police are already on to whoever did it.

“They have damaged the window and the frame. We now need to find out how much it is going to cost to repair.”

Boo’s kitchen seats 13 people and is open between 7am and 4.30pm each day serving fry-ups.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the break-in happened in the early hours on Saturday.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact Clacton police station on 101.