Horrified members of a charitable trust which works hard to bring theatre to the Cotswolds are appealing for the public’s help to find the vandals who attacked a van which is vital to their work.

Vandals are believed to have targeted the vehicle, which helps the Barn Theatre to promote their shows, on Beeches Road sometime during the evening of Friday, March 16.

During the attack tyres were slashed, windscreen wipers snapped and body work damaged, leaving a bill which The Barn Theatre says could impact the charity’s work.

Iwan Lewis, artistic director at The Barn Theatre, said that the team were upset when they discovered the damage.

“The van was donated to us and we use it to let people know what shows we’re putting on in the coming weeks,” Iwan said.

“We were all so upset when we discovered the damage, as an unsubsidised charity we all work so hard to ensure that the theatre thrives for years to come, and the costs of the repairs will have an impact on our survival.”

The Barn Theatre charitable trust was set up in 2017 with the aim of enriching lives by improving access to professional and amateur theatre and performing arts in the Cotswolds.

In recognition of the team's hard work The Barn Theatre was even named the Fringe Theatre of the Year in the Stage Awards 2019, despite only having been set up a year previously.

Part of the trust’s work includes working with children and teenagers in the area to help them develop new skills by working as a team to put on theatrical productions.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping young people to realise their potential,” artistic director Iwan said.

“We want the town’s young people to develop new skills that will help them in later life. Whoever did this is taking that opportunity away.”

A police spokesperson confirmed that officers are investigating the crime: “Police were called with a report that a vehicle had been damaged while parked on Beeches Road, Cirencester.

"Two tyres had been slashed, the wipers bent and dents were on the side of the vehicle.

"It’s believed the damage was caused over the weekend beginning March 15."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote incident 329 of March 21.