A community garden project in County Durham has been targeted by vandals before even opening to the public after windows were smashed, rubbish left and land destroyed.

Investigations are ongoing after people have been intentionally targeting the garden project in Murton - which hasn't yet opened. 

Despite volunteers making progress on the community garden over the last few months, this 'setback' has now meant that a delay in the opening has been put in place. 

The Northern Echo: Smashed windows at the community facilitySmashed windows at the community facility (Image: SEAHAM AND MURTON POLICE)

The garden, which has been earmarked as a space where the Seaham and Murton communities can work together, is anticipated to be a vital resource for the community. 

However, people have now reacted angrily after vandals dumped rubbish, smashed the windows of a community building, and destroyed land. 

Posting online over the weekend, the Seaham and Easington Police team updated people on what was happening on the investigation. 

Taking to social media, the policing team said: "Over recent months, residents from the local area alongside officers from Seaham neighbourhood team, in their own time, have undertaken the huge task of clearing and producing space for a community garden.

The Northern Echo: Rubbish dumped on the siteRubbish dumped on the site (Image: SEAHAM AND MURTON POLICE)

"The garden is an area for residents to enjoy but will also be used by community groups for meetings and as a learning space for local schools.

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"In recent weeks, the garden was vandalised which put a huge hold on the completion – enquiries are ongoing about the incident.

"Despite this, the neighbourhood team and volunteers are working hard to get it ready for you all to adore."

It's expected that the community gardens will open soon - after the vandalism is cleared.