A village's "much-loved" phone box library has been trashed by vandals who smashed several panes of glass.

The old BT box in Chartham, near Canterbury, was adopted by a villager and converted into a mini library in 2019.

It has since proved hugely popular, and volunteers have kept it stacked full of donated books and games throughout the lockdown.

But organisers were upset to discover this morning that a number of the phone box's glass panels appear to have been deliberately smashed.

Bea Berger, one of five volunteers who helps look after the facility in Parish Road, said: "Four window panes have been smashed causing the volunteers stress and worry to our much-loved library.

"The impact on the locals will noted as shattered glass as disrupted our current accessibility and service."

She is urging anyone with information, or who may have door bell or dashcam footage that would help work out what happened, to contact her and the other volunteers through the Chartham Phone Box Library page on Facebook.

"In the meantime we will make the library as safe as we can, but please take extra care when visiting this morning," she added.

"We will be down shortly to tidy up the devastation."

Police are investigating the incident.

A spokesman said: "The damage is believed to have been carried out between 6.30pm on Tuesday and 6.30am on Wednesday.

"Initial enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances and anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 31-0292."

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