ENGLISH Heritage and police have both expressed their disappointment over mindless vandalism at the town’s most famous landmark, Okehampton Castle.

Police have been appealing for information after reports of damage to the castle.

Officers told the Times that stones were pulled from castle walls and scattered around the area. They said it was evident from bottles and other litter that people have been using the castle as a meeting place.

Police also estimated that repairing the damage — which would include restoring a bench which had been secured to the ground with metal fittings — would probably cost around £5,000.

Matt?Bulford, area manager for English?Heritage, said: ‘It is a real shame that vandals have chosen to target Okehampton Castle, diverting resources that could otherwise have been used towards our charitable works.

‘Anti-social behaviour like this costs us many thousands of pounds each year, and these funds could be much better spent protecting beautiful places such as this — Devon’s largest castle — rather than picking up the bill for mindless vandalism.

‘If anyone has any information about this matter, I would urge them to contact the police immediately via 101.’

There was a similar incident in Launceston recently, with vandals pulling stones out from the walls, damaging the property and leaving behind broken bottles.

Built soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, Okehampton Castle was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives.

After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1538, it declined into an allegedly haunted ruin.

Police are encouraging people with any information to call Crimestoppers to let them know who is responsible.

Crimestoppers is a confidential service available on 0800 555 111.

If the information passed on leads to a conviction, informants may receive a cash reward.

Officers will now be patrolling the area in efforts to ensure such vandalism does not happen again.