An exhibition in Whitehaven has been vandalised today, just hours before it opened to the public.

The exhibition, in St Nicholas' Gardens, has been organised by Whitehaven Town Council and local business owner Gerard Richardson.

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When the team went to put final preparations for the exhibition this morning, they found that the marquee had been slashed and there was other damage.

The area was littered with empty bottles of alcohol and suspected drug paraphernalia. 

Marlene Jewel, the council's clerk, said: "I think it's very disappointing for Whitehaven that overnight vandals have entered the marquee and broken the fastenings on it. We've had to clean up litter that was scattered all around the marquee. 

"I've no idea why it keeps happening, but from now on we will have security on the marquee. 

"It's obvious that someone has been in here and has made several attempts to get in."

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Mr Richardson added: "I am absolutely sick to my stomach. The town councillors and I are all volunteers, and we came down this morning and filled two bin bags with broken glass, empty vodka bottles and litter.

"We're stage this exhibition on behalf of the community, for people to come together and really enjoy this important event. Disheartening isn't the word.

"I think that someone will be aware of who is gathering in St Nicholas' Gardens in the evening. I'd ask them to please come forward and report whoever is responsible.

"I can only say that they are the most selfish individuals in Whitehaven that are doing this, and they need to be caught. 

"This isn't fun, they've caused physical damage to private property and made volunteers waste an hour of their time picking up broken glass at their own risk. 

"There are a group of us down here now putting the exhibition together so that members of the public can come round and take a nostalgic look at Whitehaven and west Cumbria.

"The vandalism is beyond a joke, and it is sickening."

The exhibition will be going ahead and will run until Sunday, June 5.