A sand sculptor has been left feeling ‘disappointed’ and ‘disheartened’ after his beach sand sculpture display was damaged by yobs.

Mark Anderson discovered his sand sculpture display pod on Weymouth Beach had been vandalised and some of his sculptures damaged.

Mr Anderson is carrying on the tradition of sand modelling at Weymouth from his grandfather Fred Darrington. He has also set up the Sandworld attraction at Lodmoor.

Mr Anderson has offered a reward of £250 to anyone with any information about the culprits who damaged the beach display.

He has posted pictures of the damage on Facebook, which have been shared more than 400 times.

Mr Anderson admitted he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received.

He said: “We have had an enormous amount of support on Facebook after posting pictures of the damage, within a few hours it has been seen by thousands of people, with many saying they are prepared to help.”

“It is disappointing not just to myself but to my family and friends and to the visitors who love to come to Weymouth and enjoy the tradition of showcasing sand sculptures.”

Mr Anderson also said he will now have to fix the sculptures and that his business has been affected.

He added: “It is disheartening to see the work you put your heart and soul into destroyed and to go back and make it all again is increasingly heart wrenching.

“It is a free attraction so people donate money as they wish. This is the best time of the year for sand sculptures and when I make the most money to get through the season." If it doesn’t look as nice people will be less generous.”

Mr Anderson reported the damage to Dorset Police who are now investigating.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: “We were called to a report of criminal damage at 3.30pm on Monday, August 21 on the Esplanade in Weymouth.

“It was reported that the damage occurred sometime between 8pm on Sunday, August 20 and 12pm on Monday.

“The damage is to the pod’s structure, the netting, the cover and to the sculptures.”

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the culprit is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170129642.