HOOLIGANS have vandalised Clevedon's historic lookout tower - just hours after it was refurbished. Clevedon Civic Society had poured £20,000 into refurbishing the lookout at Poet's Walk and returning it to its former glory. But just hours after the offici

HOOLIGANS have vandalised Clevedon's historic lookout tower - just hours after it was refurbished.Clevedon Civic Society had poured £20,000 into refurbishing the lookout at Poet's Walk and returning it to its former glory.But just hours after the official opening ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Clevedon Town Council chairman Councillor David Shopland, vandals ripped off the iron gates and damaged the stonework.Clevedon Civic Society chairman Carole Wring said: "The gates had to be installed as part of the planning conditions laid down by North Somerset."Of course, we are very sad that it has been vandalised by mindless vandals so soon after it had been reopened."It seems that everywhere is a target for this sort of behaviour these days."We have now had the repairs done and are hoping this will not happen again."The lookout is meant to be a place where people can stop and enjoy looking out over the sea."It is a wonderful part of Clevedon's history, not only for visitors but residents also."Police in the town say they have stepped up their patrols in the area following reports of teenagers drinking at the beauty spot.Clevedon police Sgt Pete Abrams said: "We had received reports of young people gathered up there drinking and sent officers up there, but there was no one around."The community beat teams will continue to carry out patrols of problem areas and focus on youth issues."The lookout was built by the Finzel family who owned Clevedon Hall and were sugar importers.The lookout was used by the family to watch out for the sugar ships coming over from the West Indies.Work on refurbishing the landmark was funded by grants from Yanley and North Somerset Environmental Company (YANSEC) and other organisations.The Civic Society also raised money towards the project.Anyone with information about the vandal attack should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Clevedon Police Station.