Parking pay and display machines have been vandalised by thieves breaking them open to stealing coins from inside.

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been caused to parking payment machines along Burnham seafront this week.

Several of the solar- powered machines along the North Esplanade, near the Sailing Club, have been forced open and change inside stolen.

The exact amount of money taken is unknown.

Tony Turner, from Sedgemoor District Council, which operates the machines, said: "Several machines were attacked on Monday night.

"We are still trying to assess the damage and have taken several machines out of use temporarily while they are repaired."

He added that it was not certain how much money had been taken.

Several machines had damage to their bases as well as to the upper payment area.