A heritage railway that's seen a spate of vandalism over the last year has been targeted again.

The East Kent Railway in Sheperdswell, near Sandwich , has had a not-yet-debuted train covered in graffiti in an overnight attack.

The charity announced the attack today on its Facebook page, writing: "Between Sunday night when we closed and this morning we have suffered vandalism of some of the worse kind.

"Our new Pacer unit that was destined for service in 2021 has now been graffitied in the worse way and will cost fortunes to repaint - in the current climate something we can’t afford.

"If you have any knowledge of whom this was please let us know via a message, this must have taken a long time to do.....!"

The post received 561 reactions within six hours of being published, and almost £400 in donations to an attached fundraising effort .

It comes just days before the railway is having to close again due to the national lockdown.

The trust has had a very frustrating year of Covid-19 restrictions and vandalism.

Last October a suspected arson attack saw tools and artefacts worth thousands destroyed, with a £10,000 grant later issued to help the group.

This came after a marquee on its Eythorne site was ripped down and broken in August last year.

In June, general manager Matthew Plews spoke to KentOnline about the increase in vandalism since lockdown eased.

During that time, fences were broken and signs and operational markers smashed along the track.

Also graffiti had been continuously sprayed on the walls of the track's only tunnel.

The East Kent Railway Trust is now appealing for donations to help fund the repainting and restoration of the trains defaced over the weekend.

To donate, click here and press the 'donate' button.

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