A FAMILY beach hut, enjoyed by three generations and lovingly restored over decades, was destroyed within minutes by yobs.

Martin Blackmore found out his beach hut, which had belonged to his late mother, may have been destroyed while he was looking through social media.

“We were enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon, sitting in the garden, all playing Cluedo and having a barbecue,” he said.

“We were pointing out how quiet it was, and then the next thing we hear these sirens coming onto the island.

“My wife said to me it was a bit unusual as we hadn’t heard it for a long time.

“Half an hour later the brother-in-law said he had seen on Facebook about it, and said it looks close to where your beach hut is.

“Within about five minutes me and my son went down to the beach.

“There were eight fire officers and two police officers.”

The beach hut, in Victoria Esplanade, which was first purchased by the family in the early 1970s, was one of two to be destroyed.

Essex Fire Service confirmed crews were called out to the blaze at about 5.15pm on Sunday, with as many as four huts damaged.

“It would have been a totally pointless, stupid thing to do if it had happened during more normal times,” said Martin.

“But the fact it happened now, when people are supposed to be looking out for each other and self isolating, is ridiculous.

“On the other side of the road there are houses and people saw the huts go up, and said they saw some youths running away.

“I had windsurfing gear in there, including two boards, seven to eight sails, three masts - all gone and none of it insured.”

Despite the prospect of a costly rebuilding process later in the year, Martin was touched by the outpouring of support from the people of Mersea.

“My mum loved it and used to love going down there all the time,” he said.

“She would have a friend round and go swimming.

“People have asked when they can come down and help to rebuild it, and I have had offers from people I don’t know to use their equipment.”

Essex Police said the fire is being treated as arson.

Anyone with information can call 101 contact Colchester’s Local Policing Team on 101 quoting reference 42/50882/20.