THERE has been a spate of break-ins around one of Weston's most historic landmarks - and a surprise guest has also been making himself at home there

THERE has been a spate of break-ins around one of Weston's most historic landmarks - and a surprise guest has also been making himself at home there.National Piers Society executive committee member, Mike Davies, says vandals have targeted the Birnbeck area repeatedly over the last few months. He also said a tramp keeps settling down in the Pier View building and he has asked him to move on.Mr Davies, who holds keys to the pier, said: "Loads of windows have been smashed on the portable buildings on the car park there and the Pier View building, which is part of the pier complex, has also been broken into. "Vandals have forced the locks and caused about £750 worth of damage so I had to screw and nail the doors shut."A lady who walks her dog by the pier gives me a call if she sees the tramp and I have told him I don't want him there."Urban Splash bought Birnbeck Pier last September and bosses at the Manchester based development company plan to turn it into a landmark project.Associate director for Urban Splash South West, James Howard, said: "We have experienced some low level vandalism, primarily on the foreshore approaches to the pier. "The entrance to the pier itself is securely locked. At present, the site is visited regularly so the situation can be monitored and appropriate action taken when, and if, needed. "Arrangements will be reviewed periodically to ensure we meet requirements both in terms of the site generally and for the important listed properties which form part of the pier and island complex.