The manager of a hotel claims "pure vandalism" by a group of guests could cost him £5,000.  

A fight reportedly broke out at The Bell Hotel in High Road, Epping, in the early hours of Sunday invloving a group of four or five men described by hotel staff as being in their early 20s.

A guest of the three star Best Western hotel described seeing blood splattered on the walls of the corridor and a room, as well as an empty bottle of vodka and used nitrous oxide canisters with balloons, the following morning.

Manager Vijay Sharma said: “This is the first time something this bad has happened here and in the main Epping is a wonderful place but this was pure hooliganism.

“Sometimes people drink too much at the weekend and if we feel it is out of our remit we contact the police as soon as possible.

“It is very disappointing. We take all the precautions we can and get as much information about our guests before they book in.”

A review posted on the Tripadvisor website described young people “off their faces” in April.

It said: “We were greeted with six 18-year-olds ish, off their faces in the corridors and near the front door, they didn't give us any grief though, but it was unsettling.

“When we returned later kids outside the front of the hotel drinking, shouting and spitting.
"I should imagine that its quiet Sunday to Wednesday but we stayed on a Saturday."

Mr Shah estimated the damage done to the room to cost around £4,000 to £5,000.

He explained police had apprehended some of the group on Sunday while others managed to get away.

Police are yet to confirm any arrests and have been contacted for information.