VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds of damage to one of Europe’s oldest timber framed buildings.

Tiles on the roof of Grange Barn, in Grange Hill, Coggeshall, were destroyed by at least three boys throwing stones.

About £3,000 worth of damage was caused to the Grade 1 listed building and National Trust Warden Stuart Banks says specialist material will be needed to repair the roof.

Mr Banks, who lives on site, said he heard children throwing stones and went out to confront them.

It was not until the next morning he realised how much damage had been done.

He said: “It’s disappointing to have that thing happen somewhere like that – it’s out in rural Essex.

“It’s mindless vandalism and the most disappointing thing about it is the National Trust is a charity and the money we will spend on getting the roof fixed can’t now be spent on something else.”

The vandals destroyed 35 tiles and cycled off before Mr Banks could identify them.

The boys were white, about ten years old, with one described as having short dark hair and being of a “chunky” build.

The barn, which dates from the 13th century, was taken over by the National Trust in 1989.

Last year, a project researching the history of the barn, funded by the Local Heritage Initiative, was completed at a cost of £23,100 Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, which happened last Wednesday, to call officers at Witham on 0300 3334444, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.