A charity has been left devastated after one of its minibuses was destroyed in an arson.

Tendring Community Transport (TCT) provides a vital service to vulnerable community members, but now faces a reduced fleet after a minibus was set alight.

The vehicle was parked at Golf Green Hall in Clacton on Thursday, October 30 when it was set on fire using a can of petrol at about 10pm.

TCT chief executive officer, Pauline Mann, said: “Luckily someone spotted the fire and called the fire brigade, who arrived very quickly, saving the other vehicle.

Clacton Tendring Community Transport minibus destroyed in fire Clacton Tendring Community Transport's minibus was destroyed in a fire (Image: Submitted)

“But our minibus was completely burnt out.

“And it’s come at a really bad time – we had just lost a vehicle two weeks earlier due to engine problems.

“Then this happens. So, in a very short period of time we have gone from 12 minibuses to 10.”

The charity provides door-to-door accessible community transport for residents, including for food shopping, to attend groups and clubs, and for medical appointments.

Without this transport, some would find it difficult to leave their homes and attend vital services.

Arson attack on Tendring Community Transport minibus The damage to the vehicle (Image: Submitted)

Ms Mann added: “Because of this loss, we have had to cancel some of our group hire services - taking elderly people to a lunch club and elderly residents to social events.

“It is devastating, as this trip may be the only time someone leaves their home.

“We can only hope that we do not have any issues with any of our vehicles, if we do we will be cancelling more trips.”

TCT has reported the arson attack to Essex Police and to its insurance provider but is not expecting to receive enough money to fund the purchase of a new vehicle.

The charity has launched a GoFundMe page to try and bridge the financial gap.