MENTAL health managers have spoken of their frustration after their minibus was vandalised for the second time.The Old Fox House clubhouse minibus suffered £2,500 of damage last year, putting it off the road for ten months as the organisation had to find the money to repair it.

MENTAL health managers have spoken of their frustration after their minibus was vandalised for the second time.

The Old Fox House clubhouse minibus suffered £2,500 of damage last year, putting it off the road for ten months as the organisation had to find the money to repair it.

It is used for outings for the people the Stowmarket-based group helps, as well as taking clients to work placements and for training.

Now, just a day after it was used for its first social trip after being back on the road, someone has vandalised it again.

This time a brick has been thrown at the windscreen, causing £250 of damage. The incident happened between 4pm on Saturday and 10.30am on Monday.

The blue Ford transit minibus had only just been used for a day trip to Baylham Rare Breeds centre near Needham Market, and the Stonham Barns leisure complex.

Debbie Wilding, senior staff worker at the town centre clubhouse which helps people with long term mental health problems back in to education, training and work, said: "We can't believe it, this is absolutely ridiculous.

"We worry it will happen again and are appealing for anyone who can provide a safe parking area near the clubhouse to get in touch.

"We are not sure if we are covered in our insurance and have limited resources, but we will get it fixed again.''

Linda Yaxley, a member of the clubhouse, said: "Everyone is upset about it, it's not fair to single people out who suffer from mental illness. One in four people suffer from some kind in their lives.

"They are trying to recover, and should not have to suffer this. It's so sad, people are just trying to get their lives back, and we don't need this.''

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said the windscreen on the van had been smashed while it was parked behind the Old Fox Yard and they are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them.

In a separate incident in Stowmarket vandals have smashed the front and rear windscreen of a blue Ford Escort parked on Windermere Road.

Police believe the offenders used a house brick to cause the damage, sometime between 9pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday, causing £300 worth of damage.

Anyone with any information about either incident should call Stowmarket Police Station on 01284 774100.