A £1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the successful conviction of those responsible for causing thousands of pounds damage at a former Newton Abbot builder's yard.

Nine months ago, two garages and a large builder's store were completely wrecked on the land behind 6 Old Exeter Road.

Owner Roger Parker said roofs were ripped off, sides knocked down and doors pulled from their hinges.

'We have had schoolchildren in there causing a few problems, but this was not the work of children. It had to be fully grown men and they caused more than £3,000 worth of damage,' he said.

Ashburton farmer Mr Parker rents out the house and said the occupiers had telephoned him to say someone was wielding a sledgehammer and attacking the buildings, but they were too frightened to approach him.

'I went into Newton Abbot but by the time I arrived he had gone,' he said.

Mr Parker reported the matter to the police, but said he was angry nothing was done.

'They went up there and said they would investigate it, but they did not come to any conclusion.

'The vandals have now returned and knocked the roof off the garden shed and knocked a wall down. The wall must have dated back to the 16th century.

'This latest damage will cost more than £1,500 to repair,' maintained Mr Parker.

His biggest fear is that the vandals will turn their attention on the two-bedroom house, which is a grade 11 listed building dating back to the 16th century and is one of the oldest buildings in the town.

'Anyone doing this cannot be in their right mind and they could turn their attention to other places.

'It is a lovely old building and we are putting in improvements this year and bringing it back to its former glory,' said Mr Parker, who has deeds to the house showing that in 1859 it was sold by Mary Leaworthy to Elizabeth Brooks for the princely sum of £100.

He has also applied for planning permission to build a small house for the affordable housing market on the land at the rear. That was turned down by Teignbridge Council planners, and he is to appeal.

Now he has written to the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police pointing out the damage that has occurred and saying nothing has been done.

'I hope you could do something to stop this criminal damage. Obviously they are now going to start on the house,' wrote Mr Parker, who informed the police that he was offering the £1,000 reward.

On Wednesday, he said he had received a reply from the police saying they were looking into the matter.

Mr Parker added that he was not worried if he did not know the name of the person who came forward with information. They could pass it on through the Mid-Devon Advertiser or the police and once there was a successful conviction he would pay the reward money through the press or police if necessary.