VANDALS who targeted the greenhouse of an organisation which supports people with learning and physical disabilities have caused irreparable damage.

A greenhouse at the New Beginnings Club (NBC) allotment in Muirpark in Tranent was previously attacked in May and was again the victim of vandals on August 17. A youth was seen sitting on the greenhouse, causing poles to snap.

Sarah Allan, chair of the club, said: “This is the second time in recent weeks that our greenhouse has been vandalised and it makes me really sad to see this damage, not only because of all the hard work NBC members have put into the allotments, but also on behalf of all the people who showed such wonderful generosity by helping us replace lost plants the first time this happened.”

Anne Low, club administrator, said members were “deeply distressed by what has been happening at the allotments”.

Rosanne Woods, chair of the allotments, said: “It is a shame that NBC have been vandalised again as they put so much effort into their plots.

“Every year there is some vandalism, from torn netting to uprooted or destroyed vegetables, broken bottles thrown over the fence and we even had a carpet thrown over once! Though this year it has been more destructive.

“In May, the club had their scarecrow broken and the greenhouse completely trashed inside, the vandal then zipped the door closed.

“Sadly, the chap Malcolm, who did a lot of the work in the New Beginnings Club plot, only discovered it when he opened the door. This really upset him and he gave up tending the plot.”

Rosanne asked the other plot holders if they could donate spare seeds or plant plugs after the earlier act of vandalism, with some willing to help.

However, two other plots, owned by Home-Start and the local Scout group, also saw plants being uprooted at the same time.

Rosanne added: “I have met with the community warden to see if anything can be done to deter the vandalism. They will put up notices to say the allotments are being monitored by police and the wardens; other things are in the pipeline.”