BURGLARS have targeted an organisation that provides training, support and advice to young people in Furness causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

More than £500 worth of damage was caused to Custodian's Cottage at Furness Abbey in Barrow during the attack.

The building is leased by Community Action Furness based in Barrow. Custodian's Cottage is used by young members of CAF completing art and craft courses. During the raid on April 10 some of the students coursework was also damaged and a small amount of personal belongings stolen.

The cottage is the first part of a very large project for the Abbey site. CAF is hoping to open a crafts and visitor centre with a caf, a medieval farm and a herb garden. A museum for artifacts, an Eco-centre and an educational resource centre are also planned.

Project leader Iain McNichol said it was not the first burglary at the site: "This is another attack on the site by a mindless minority and the £500 plus cost of this vandalism is in damage to the site and damaged course work completed by our youngsters.

"There are no tools or equipment stored inside the cottage to attract burglars. It is another set back but it only makes us even more determined to continue."

April 22, 2003 10:00