A MINDLESS vandal struck the West Somerset Railway last Monday evening attacking a railway coach stationed at Bishops Lydeard.

The damage caused to the coach was mainly broken glass with three large carriage windows and two droplight windows in doors being smashed in the attack which is estimated will cost £1,000 to replace and repair.

The vandals struck at around 9pm on a railway coach stabled overnight at sidings in Bishops Lydeard.

A Snapchat video has been posted on social media showing the young vandal smashing the windows.

A member of the public contacted the WSR about the damage, and general manager Paul Conibeare attended the scene and informed the police.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the police on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5219/093628.

The coach has now been moved to Minehead for repairs in the workshops there which will hopefully take just a few days to complete if replacement glass is in stock.

WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said: "This sad, senseless and costly attack on us is bad news, especially coming at a time when we are all working so hard to build the railway back up again.

“Suffering £1,000 worth of damage represents a big loss to us at any time, but I'd like to thank the member of the local Bishops Lydeard community who called the railway on the night and reported it to us.

"Mindless vandalism obviously hurts the railway, but we are determined to keep the WSR running and so providing a major tourist attraction in Somerset."

The damage is a major blow to the railway which only re-opened in April after a three-month closure.

However concerned residents and supporters have stepped in and already £1,258 has been pledged to repair the damage.