BURGLARS caused significant damage after breaking into a much-loved children’s attraction just weeks after it reopened.

Crooks targeted Dovercourt Skating Rink, in the town’s Marine Parade, overnight last Wednesday.

The rink reopened on Easter Monday after Simply Skating agreed a lease with owners Tendring Council. It had previously been run by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.

A spokesman for Simply Skating said: “There is quite a lot that needs to be replaced and it looks like it will come to quite a high value. When I found out, I was shocked. We aredoing this to benefit the community and trying to keep the costs as lowas they were when it was being run as a charity.”

Wellwishers have set up a fund to try to help replace the missing stock and pay for repairs.

Donations can be made at the skating rink, at Pieseas Chippy on West Street, Harwich, or at the Royal Oak, in Main Road, Dovercourt.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.