A Cockermouth couple who have been working hard to do up a landmark town building have appealed for support after vandals struck and trespassers lit fires on their land.

Phil and Rachel Gerrard are appealing to people walking near the riverside site to be vigilant.

The couple bought Double Mills, a former youth hostel off Fern Bank, from the town council last year.

They have been doing major work on the grade II listed building since last September.

They are turning the three-storey former mill into a family home, where they will live with their children. They also want to offer budget holiday accommodation for up to six people.

But they have had issues with trespassing and vandals struck at the weekend, leaving grafitti and indecent images on the historic building.

Phil said: "We have been trying to engage with as many people as possible to get over the message that our garden is private, the footpath is public and the beach is permitted access, for everybody to quietly enjoy and swim.

"A few people, generally of secondary school age are ignoring this. Some had lit fires on the beach and in our garden, which we reported to the police.

"Obviously we are really disapointed that somebody has decided to graffitti our home in a really cowardly and senseless manner, however we don't want to demonise all teenagers.

"There are a small number of individuals who are obviously lacking a moral compass and some self-respect, otherwise they would understand the impact of their actions on others."

Three sides of the building have been spray painted on.

"The mill is over 200 years old and the materials are porous. It would seem the paint has soaked into lime render and sandstone which means we will probably damage those parts to remove the paint fully," said Phil.

"This is galling after spending so much time, effort and money renovating the the rest of the building.

"We really welcome the support we receive from the vast majority of people and feel sorry for others that on occasion suffer from anti-social behaviour. We understand that a van was graffitied as well."