A pensioner's dream of creating a gym on Clacton's seafront has had a major setback after vandals attacked it while work was in progress.

The gym, in the former Clacton Swimming Club and Boxing Club at Lower Marine Parade West, was due to open at the end of the month.

Now plans have been delayed for at least a month after vandals smashed windows and broke tiles off the roof.

Tendring district councillor Tony Sargent (Lab, Rush Green) decided to pursue his vision of a beach gym for the town after Tendring Council said it had no money to put into the project.

But today he has been left with costs of more than £1,000 to repair the damage.

He said: "I feel gutted about it. It was going to be a community gym and I wanted to combine the wisdom of the old with the strength of the young so everyone could enjoy themselves. It just makes me feel so sad."

Mr Sargent, 67, said the vandals had been inside and stole £500 worth of equipment. They also kicked rugby and punch balls around.

He said: "I'm not interested in making profits. Just making enough to break even would make me happy. I'm a Clactonian and I believe the town has a lot of potential and I wanted to make it happen."

Published Monday, January 13, 2003

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