Gamston Wood Nature Reserve barn unsafe after beam stolen
A barn built by Nottinghamshire volunteers has been left unsafe by thieves who stole a 12 ft (3.6 m) wooden beam.
Rangers at Gamston Wood nature reserve, near Retford, said chainsaws were used to cut out the solid oak strut.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust said the six-month-old building would cost about £500 to fix.
Senior reserves officer Rob Atkinson said it was a "selfish act" and it has put enormous pressure on the charity.
The barn, which has been sheltering wood craftsmen, was built as part of a community project using traditional techniques.
Mr Atkinson said: "This is not the first crime we've suffered on local nature reserves, and the oak beam that was stolen could be someone's new rustic mantelpiece by now."
The trust said that because re-building work would be too expensive special brackets will have to be installed instead, despite them spoiling the barn's look.
Anyone with any information has been urged to contact the police.