Vandals have wrought 'wanton destruction' on a new community hub to help needy residents in a Suffolk town, leaving the developers questioning whether to continue.

The new multi-purpose Project40Seven venue will provide services for residents, including a fuel bank for people to obtain a top-up voucher for energy pre-payment meters and a 'Library of Things' for people to borrow tools and cleaning equipment.

But on Sunday, Toby Lindsay-White, co-director with hub developers Creative Leiston, arrived to find windows at the High Street premises had been smashed, creating added costs of £320 in addition to fund raising activities that are already taking place for the hub.

He said: "This really hit me deep in the squidgy pumping bit of my chest.

"It makes me wonder if we'll be able to do it at all if we continually face this wanton destruction?

"Now, of course, this won't stop us but it will delay things and cost money we may not be able to recoup as well as increasing our insurance."

East Anglian Daily Times: Creative Leiston have said the damage will result in them having to increase their insuranceCreative Leiston have said the damage will result in them having to increase their insurance (Image: Toby Lindsay-White)

As well as the Fuel Bank and Library of Things, there will also be a repair shop where faulty or tired appliances, funiture or clothes can be repaired or refreshed free of charge, which will run alongside a uniform exchange.

Furthermore, a shop, Crafted, featuring the work of local crafters and artists will be operating from the premises, along with Refill, a zero waste store providing environmentally-friendly food, drink, cleaning and personal care products.

Local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to use two micro-shop units to test their products in a retail environment, while there will be dedicated office space for smaller community groups.

Mr Lindsay-White added: "The vandalism that occurred on Saturday night was disheartening but if anything, proves the need for several of the elements that Project40Seven will be bringing to the town and so strengthens our resolve to bring positivity and mutual support to everyone."

However, first Creative Leiston, a community group of local crafters and creatives, needs to raise £7,500 and has so far collected £530 from a Crowdfund appeal.

Last week, Mr Lindsay-White, who co-directs with Amanda Matthews, said the project had been established by volunteers who had experienced the problems they were trying to solve.

To donate, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/creative-leiston---project40seven---community-hub

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: “We are investigating an attempted break-in between 6pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.

"Anyone with information that could assist our inquiries is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 or via the website, quoting crime reference 37/10134/23.”