A SAND sculptor is devastated after vandals destroyed his latest works of art on Weymouth Beach.

Mark Anderson has been left with a repair bill totalling thousands of pounds following the vandalism spree.

Mark and his team spent around 300 hours last month working on the display, which can only be accessed through a locked door.

The head of a sculpture of tennis star Andy Murray was smashed to pieces.

The Murray sculpture was made last month after the tennis player became the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936.

Other sculptures damaged were film superhero Iron Man and parts of children’s characters Mike and Sully from hit film Monsters Inc.

Sculptures of ET, the gruffalo and a smurf were untouched.

Officers were sent to the Sandworld viewing area on The Esplanade yesterday morning.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed that vandals broke in through a locked door.

Mr Anderson, co-founder of Sandworld, a sand sculpture attraction in Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth, has spoken out following the ‘brainless’ act.

His family has received international recognition for their sand sculpting skills.

Mr Anderson said: “It is devastating because so much work has gone into the display.

“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time – just six weeks before the end of the season.

“I am going to try and repair them but it will take a lot of time and hard work.”

He added: “It is just a brainless act that has caused so many people, so much heartache.

“It is the first time this has happened in years.”

Shocked passersby gathered at the scene to look at the damage.

Arthur Bridges, of Wiltshire, said: “I was walking past and noticed the damage.

“It’s disgusting and whoever did this should be made to pay for it.

“It is obvious to anyone that work like this takes a lot of time and effort.”

Holidaymaker David Miles, of Wolverhampton, added: “It is a sign of the times that people have nothing better to do. I hope they catch whoever did it.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “We had a call at 6.10am on Friday reporting a break-in at Sandworld’s sculpture viewing area on the Esplanade. The offenders gained entry by breaking through the door and lock.

“Some of the sculptures have been damaged. We urge anyone with information to call 101.”

CCTV to be installed by kind-hearted friend A WEYMOUTH business man and kind-hearted friend of sand sculptor Mark Anderson says he will set up CCTV at the popular Weymouth viewing area.

Tristan Murless, of Tristan G Murless Electrical Contractors Ltd, said: “I think what has happened is a disgrace.

“Mark and his family have been a part of the town for years with the sculptures enjoyed by residents and tourists.

“We will have the CCTV up and running in the next two weeks.”

Mr Anderson said he had previously been planning to set up CCTV but had struggled with funding.

He added: “It is very kind of Tristan and let us hope this doesn’t happen again.

“There was some CCTV footage from the street and officers said they would investigate that.”