AN OUTDOOR gym has been ‘mindlessly destroyed’ by vandals just over six months since it was installed following a community fundraising effort.

Equipment at the John Burrows Recreation Ground gym was ripped out of the ground and the glass sign was smashed, leading the council to close the outdoor gym.

Shocked residents discovered the damage on Thursday morning and reported the damage to Essex Police.

“I am extremely frustrated, extremely disappointed and very very annoyed this has happened,” Cllr Paul Varker, deputy leader of the council, said.

“A lot of work has gone in to having that gym installed by the Hadleigh Community Group and to have it vandalised that way in such a short space of time is just totally disgusting.

“The community group worked so hard to raise money over the years to have this put in, with a financial contribution from the council. It’s a great benefit to our borough and our community.

He added: “To see it mindlessly destroyed like that is beyond belief.

“I’d love to catch the vandals. These are mindless people that have no respect for others and it’s just beyond belief really.”

The Tory Victoria ward councillor says the council cannot place a definite timetable on when the outdoor gym will be reopened, but says he and his colleague are determined to have the damaged equipment fixed “as quickly as possible”.

“I can’t give a definitive date for when it will be repaired but let’s just say it’s being worked on urgently.

“Hopefully we can get it put right sooner, rather than later,” he added.

The ward councillor says the gym has been a massive success with the community since it opened earlier this year and has especially been a health boon for those who want to exercise but are anxious about doing so in an enclosed indoor gym.

“It really helps, people that are trying to get some exercise during Covid,” he said.

“It’s a free way to see whether they like to work out and this is a massive loss for locals.”

The gym will remain fenced off and closed to the public until the damaged equipment has been repaired.