Vandals have targeted Ramsgate seafront shelters for the third time in a month.

The latest attack on the Edwardian structures happened on Christmas day and saw two shelters damaged on either side of the Granville Theatre in Victoria Parade.

More window panes have been smashed and knocked out, and graffiti drawn over the benches.

Ramsgate Society chairman John Walker said: “It is so disappointing that they have been hit again.

"It’s not a very funny Christmas present for the people of Ramsgate.

"We are determined to carry on repairing the shelters and we are not prepared to give in to these people.

"We will repair them and keep repairing them; we are going to have to look at a fundraising appeal in the New Year."

"We are determined to carry on repairing the shelters and we are not prepared to give in to these people" - Ramsgate Society chairman John Walker

It follows two similar incidents reported over the last month, when vandals damaged other shelters in the same area, smashing more than 10 panes of glass.

The society has CCTV images of the perpetrators, which were handed over to police.

Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: “Kent Police received a report of criminal damage caused to the third and fourth shelter in Victoria Parade, Ramsgate between 10pm and midnight on December 25.

“Panes of glass in both shelters were reported smashed following the incident.

“Officers are investigating and inquiries are ongoing.”

The 14 seafront shelters had recently been restored by The Ramsgate Society at a cost of more than half a million pounds.

They have been subject to repeated damage and attacks ever since, leaving the voluntary society counting the costs of repair work every time.

Over the last two years more than £10,000 has been spent on rectifying damage caused by vandals.