Sittingbourne's Dolphin Barge Museum supporters have been devastated by a break-in which left a priceless model of a Thames sailing barge smashed to pieces.

Trustees chairman Clive Reader is now faced with the heartbreaking task of telling the pensioner who spent 600 hours restoring the model, that it is in ruins and fears the shock could kill him.

Vandals forced a heavy duty padlock to enter the sail loft museum where they carried out thousands of pounds worth of damage.

But the attacks centred on the Douglas barge model in a glass showcase and a second showcase, plus a mannequin. The intruders also forced the lock to a shipping container used for storage.

A sailing dinghy belonging to Sittingbourne and Milton Sea Cadets was abandoned further down the creek.

A new alarm system at the museum next to Milton Creek was about to be installed, but trustees are now looking at tighter security measures for the isolated site, off Crown Quay Lane.

Mr Reader said: “ We are sickened by the mindless nature of this vandalism.”

The museum is dedicated to the history of the Thames sailing barge and associated industries of brick and cement manufacture.

Sittingbourne Police are investigating the attack which happened between 5.30pm on Sunday and 3pm on Monday when the break-in was discovered by a volunteer.

The museum is operated on a voluntary basis by the Friends of Dolphin Yard.