A CHARITY for people with learning difficulties has been devastated after their "pride and joy" allotment shed was burned down in an arson attack which caused thousands of pounds of damage.

Valuable gardening equipment was destroyed when the Grace Eyre charity shed was razed overnight.

The Hove-based charity helps people with learning difficulties and is "devastated" at the destruction to the site its users visit several times a week.

Vandals forced open the gate at the Weald Allotments in Weald Avenue, Hove, overnight and other sheds were also damaged before firefighters were called at 3am.

Phil Ferris, chairman of the Weald Allotment and Gardeners' Association, said: “I came in on the 19th and we noticed that there were sheds broken into.

"As you got further and further around the site we then found the Grace Eyre foundation had both their sheds burned to the ground."

He added: “They were devastated, absolutely devastated. It is their pride and joy coming up here.”

The association is appealing for financial or practical help to rebuild the property and replace all the tools and equipment. Mr Ferris said he thought they would need to raise around £10,000.

Grace Eyre helps people with learning disabilities in Brighton, Hove and across Sussex to be independent, get housing and find jobs. It also runs social activities.

Sally Finch, deputy manager of the charity, said: “The allotments are a very important area for us.

"We grow our own vegetables there which we can then bring back here and use in our training kitchen. It is also very therapeutic."

She added the plot was also enjoyed just for outdoor space, and was "therapeutic" for the charity's users.

“It felt a bit personal because no one else had a fire," she added.

"We were the only allotment that got fire-damaged.

“”Of course they are upset – they don’t understand why someone would do that. We don’t understand, either. "

Sussex Police said officers were investigating after "a shed was deliberately set on fire on the Weald Allotment site in Weald Avenue, Hove, at 3am on Saturday, September 19."

The spokesman added firefighters from East Sussex Fire and Rescue attended and put out the blaze.