THE front door to Canvey’s historic Dutch Cottage was kicked off its hinges by “mindless vandals”, leaving volunteers with a £300 bill.

A dog walker had spotted the vandalism on Sunday evening, and raised the alarm with museum curator Alison Harris who rushed out to inspect the damage.

She arrived with her husband Jim to find the bottom part of the oak wood door flat on the floor, with a large boot print visible.

It is understood nothing was stolen from inside.

Mrs Harris said: “I remember it decided to rain on us, and it was entering the cottage. I was awfully upset.

“Why would someone want to destroy something that is part and parcel of this island’s history?”

Mrs Harris says she reported the damage to police, who are now investigating.

She has worked as museum curator for five years, succeeding Jackie Terry, who has since died.

Mrs Harris added: “Jackie would be terribly upset right now, a few of the locals who live near the museum are absolutely saddened by what has happened to the cottage.

“The Dutch isn’t just a place that’s part of our history, but it’s also a place that looks after it’s visitors and locals, no matter where they’re from.

“We need to look after each other.”

Located on Canvey Road, the museum was built more than 400 years ago after Dutch workers and families settled into the area in 17th century.

The island has strong links with the Dutch, with engineer Cornelius Vermuyden helping to drain and embank parts of it.

The Dutch Cottage is now run on Castle Point Council’s behalf by the Benfleet and District Historical Society, and first opened as a museum in 1962.

The rooms of the cottage, which include a living room, passage and large and small bedrooms, now contain a variety of exhibits that illustrate the history of Canvey.