VANDALS have destroyed a bench near a church just a week after ten allotment sheds were broken into.

Coggeshall Parish Council is appealing for information after the bench in Church Green, near St Peter ad Vincula, was left "beyond repair".

It comes just a week after around ten sheds were broken into on the Butt Field allotment and several pots and garden gnomes were smashed.

A replacement bench is expected to cost around £400.

Anyone with any information about the bench should contact Essex Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 42/166771/18.