VANDALS have struck a community centre for families - forcing it to temporarily cancel a popular service.

Yobs smashed eight windows at the Berechurch Family Hub in School Road, on Colchester’s Monkwick estate.

Seven were broken during the last May bank holiday weekend (May 27) and they struck again on Tuesday, smashing a window with a brick.

Two rooms at the centre, which offers free services to families, are now out of action until all the windows are replaced, but the centre remains open.

The latest damage again forced the cancellation of the Thursday stay, play and learn group, for the third week running, which is attended by as many as 40 adults and children.

Amanda Storie, deputy quadrant manager, said last year vandals damaged the roof.

She said: “This time they have caused real damage.

“They are not hurting anybody but the community.

“We had seven windows broken at the bank holiday weekend and the glass shards went all over the carpet.

“Items were also thrown out of bins and strewn down the path.

“Now they have thrown a brick through another window.”

Services offered in the two, temporarily closed rooms include baby massage, stay and play sessions and breast feeding support.

The centre also offers support for children with special educational needs, plus health facilities including baby weigh-in.

Any families can use it but Ms Storie said many on low incomes do. The centre also helps to reduce isolation.

Dave Harris, Berechurch councillor and chairman of the Berechurch Children’s Centres Advisory Group, described the damage as “appalling”.

He said: “I will be calling for information leading to successful prosecution of the vandals by offering a £100 reward to anyone.

“My community is strong but needs to work together to stop the very few who damage our valued children’s centre.”

Ms Storie added: “Parents are quite disappointed they cannot come because we are one of the free services left in the community.”

The repair costs haven’t been confirmed but Ms Storie said the money could have been spent on service resources.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Essex Police on 101.