VANDALS have caused more than £1,000 damage at a Canvey nature reserve.

The yobs destroyed two bird hides in the RSPB West Canvey Marsh, tearing away the wooden panels of the building, trashing the surrounding fencing and smashing information boards in the process.

A volunteer trail walker first noticed damage to one of the structures. The RSPB believe the vandals then returned to completely destroy both hides over the weekend.

Marc Outten, the RSPB’s South Essex site manager, said: “One of the hides has pretty much been destroyed. The basic structure is there, but all the panels have been completely torn apart.

“The whole thing will have to be replaced. It’s extremely disappointing to see this happen. The reserve is very popular and the hides are both used regularly.”

The charity plans to replace both bird hides at a cost of more than £1,000.

It is not the first time the wildlife reserve has been targeted by yobs recently.

Last month, swings in the reserve’s play park were stolen and picnic benches were damaged.

Mr Outten said it was difficult to secure the 630-acre reserve.

He added: “We rely on people’s goodwill. It’s an open site and we are a charity.

“We don’t want to install security or CCTV cameras. It’s a wildlife reserve and people visit it because they like the experience of being surrounded by nature.”

Canvey West Marsh was opened in April 2010, at a cost of about £2million.

The reserve forms part of the South Essex marshes and visitors can spot all manner of birdlife, including lapwings and curlews.

It is open to the public from 9am until 5pm every day.

Anyone with any information about the vandalism is urged to contact police, on 0300 3334444.