A BLACK Country canal boat owner has been left disheartened and facing a costly repair bill after vandals threw paint all over his beloved barge and stole treasures collected over the years.

On returning from a walk, boater Wayne Siverns – who has lived on the waterways for around 50 years – discovered he’d been broken into and treasured items including pocket watches and antique brass items collected over decades had been stolen.

Upset at the discovery, he went for another walk and when he returned there was more bad news. Vandals had defaced the entire port side of his boat with grey paint.

The boat was moored at Wordsley Junction on the Stourbridge Canal when the incident happened during the daytime on Thursday October 10.

Mr Siverns, who said he used to work as a caretaker at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, said he has had multiple kind offers of help since the incident, but the proud Darlaston-born boater said he would fund the repairs himself.

He said the incident had put him off staying in the Stourbridge area, but he said he has friends in the locality and he added: “What else am I going to do?”

West Midlands Police said officers have been making enquiries and anyone with information is urged to get in touch.

A spokesperson for the force said: "A narrowboat was burgled on Kinver Street between 10pm (October 9) and 6.30am on (October 10).

"We have been making enquiries which includes sourcing any CCTV and any witnesses.

"We would appeal to anyone who has any information that could help our investigation to call us on 101 quoting crime number 20/914338/24.

"Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers, the independent charity on 0800 555111."