HOODED youths climbed over locked gates to clamber over and stand on top of the remaining Twelth Century structure at St Giles' Leper Hospital in Maldon last night (Sunday, 25 May).

Passers-by witnessed a group of five youths wearing hoodies standing on top of the hospital ruins at the precious heritage site in Spital Road shortly after 8pm.

The landlord of the nearby Queen Victoria pub, James Burrell-cook, reported the incident to police.

He said: "It's shameful that some individuals don't respect our heritage and cannot understand the importance of this historic building. They don't care about the history of Maldon."

Local historian, Stephen Nunn, said: "I am terribly saddened that these youngsters saw fit to treat such a special place in this way.

"The story of the Leper Hospital goes back to the 12th century and is an integral part of the story of the town. It has been renovated, conserved and preserved by successive generations and is a place of interest to locals and visitors alike.

"We must all be vigilant and protect the remains and report any trespassing or attempted vandalism to the police. I would love to meet these youngsters and talk to them about why our local heritage is relevant today and why we all have a duty to care for it".

It will not be possible to be sure of any damage done until the structure, which is owned and managed by Maldon Town Council, is examined by conservationists.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We were called to concerns for the safety of up to five young people who had climbed up to a height on the site of a former hospital shortly after 8pm last night, Sunday 23 May.

"We also received reports of abusive language being used by the group. We attended the scene but could not locate anyone who fitted the descriptions given to us."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information on it should submit a report online at the Essex Police website using the linkhere or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.

You can also call police on 101 and cite incident 1176 of May 23. Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or using the link here.

A Brief History of St Giles' Hospital (information used with kind permission of Stephen Nunn):

The hospital was founded "by a king of England" probably

in about 1164. If the date is right then this king would have been Henry II, but the actual founder was probably Mantell, Lord of the Manor.

The intention was for the hospital to provide "relief of such burgesses of this town as should have the leprosy" and a chaplain was to be appointed to say divine service daily in the chapel.

It is likely that the hospital was a dependence of the nearby Augustinian priory of Woodham Ferrers/Bicknacre.

The hospital was transferred to the care of Beeleigh Abbey in the Fifteenth Century and was probably closed in 1536 when the abbey was closed.

A document of 1540 refers to "Spytelland" and "Spetylland" in Maldon.

In 1547 Henry VIII granted the hospital to a Thomas Dyer, Esq., and Frances, his wife.

The Spital Fair was held beside the former hospital during the mid-sixteenth century. This probably lasted from 31 August to 10 September (St Giles' feast day being 1 September).

The building was owned by Lieutenant-General Montlieu from

around1763/68 and his son, Colonel Charles Lewis Montolieu, had the place converted into a barn.

By 1895 a local historian stated that "the barn at Spital Farm is somewhat ruinous and dilapidated but is still picturesque and certainly very interesting".

The roof of the barn finally collapsed in about 1910.

Other barns were pulled down in 1913 to reveal the ruins of St Giles.

The remains were excavated in around 1920 and an apse revealed.

Thomas of Beeleigh Abbey purchased the ruins in 1925 and presented them to the Maldon Corporation.

The Corporation started restoration work in January 1927. This work was completed on 3 June, 1927.

A town guide of 1951 states that "after centuries of neglect and degradation to mean uses among farm buildings the remains are now cared for".

The remains consist of the ruins of a large chapel - part of the chancel and transepts of a chancel chapel, probably dating to the end of the twelfth century. Early thirteenth century lancet windows are in the south transept.

It seems to have been built on a grand scale for such a small foundation and contains re-used Roman brick.