Repair costs to a wall repeatedly targeted by vandals are expected to reach £30,000.

Extensive rebuilding work to the wall on the upper promenade in Lowestoft has been taking place over recent weeks – with 570 damaged or missing balustrades requiring repair or complete replacement.

The historic wall, which runs from the Cefas Laboratory down to the Claremont Pier, has been vandalised a number of times over the past year, with further damage taking place as the repair works were being completed.

The work is now scheduled to be completed in May – unless further setbacks occur.

Stephen Ardley, cabinet member for operational partnerships at Waveney District Council, said: 'Unfortunately, vandalism has taken place on previously undamaged sections of the wall over the past few weeks. This has extended the length and cost of the repairs, which is estimated to reach £30,000 by the time the work is completed.

'This of course is dependent on whether any more vandalism takes place within that time.'

Over the past two years, the vandalism has prompted renewed police appeals and for new CCTV cameras to be installed. 'Whilst the newly installed balustrades contain additional reinforcement to improve their resistance to vandalism, nothing is guaranteed to be 'vandal-proof',' Mr Ardley added.

'We must be proactive in reducing the amount of overall vandalism.'

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