A charity working with people with learning disabilities was shocked after an intruder caused damage costing thousands including ripping out a fireplace.

East Kent Mencap is moving across Sheerness from Seashells Children and Families Centre to Trinity Road.

When staff arrived at the new building, they found a trail of destruction.

Jaime Giddings, manager, said: “We got upstairs and realised there were people’s clothes and beer bottles everywhere and the fireplace had been taken.

“We didn’t see anybody but we found men’s trainers and a mobile phone charger.”

She believes the intruder, a man, had fled over rooftops after hearing the Mencap staff coming upstairs.

“It was quite possibly a quick getaway,” she said.

The last person in the building had been security a week before, and there had been no sign of a break-in or squatter.

"Now we have to repair the damage, which is substantial, before we can use the building, so we won’t be able to move in for several more weeks" - Jaime Giddings

The building was lined up to become a resource centre, providing a space for day activities from drama and dance to cooking and music.

As well as the fireplace, bannisters had been ripped off the walls, fire extinguishers all removed and a newly-installed Wi-fi system pulled out.

Jaime said: “It is a terrible blow for everyone.

"We’ve been looking forward to the move for months and had so many exciting projects planned.

“We had already invested time and money decorating it and had a removal van ready to bring over all our furniture.

"Now we have to repair the damage, which is substantial, before we can use the building, so we won’t be able to move in for several more weeks."

A police spokesman said they received a report of a burglary at 5.40pm on Tuesday, September 19 and inquiries are continuing.