Vandals have destroyed a natural well by smashing coping stones -- exposing a 5ft square hole filled with about 4ft of water.

Stirling Moore returned home to High Spring Road, Thwaites Brow, Keighley, from a weekend away, to find youths had destroyed the spring at the side of a footpath near his home.

Mr Moore, 57, claimed he knew who most of the offenders were and had even gone around to one of their houses to complain to their parents.

He said: "They don't know what their kids are doing. They haven't got a clue."

Now the footpath, which runs from High Spring Road to Bank Top Way, is posing a hazard.

Mr Moore said: "Bradford Council workers came out especially to cordon it off, and they are going to have to do some major repairs and spend more of the taxpayers' money on it."

Keith Escritt, principal highways engineer for the council, confirmed that staff had coned off the well. He added: "We will be making temporary repairs to make the area safe in the short term, and will make a permanent repair as soon as possible."

This latest attack is one in a spate of vandalism in the area. In August residents expressed their concerns after a children's play area, built with money provided by community fundraising, was targeted by the youths.

Play equipment was damaged, walls were broken down and beer cans and smashed glass littered the floor. Under-age drinking and intimidating behaviour have also become a persistent problem in the area.

Insp Nigel Cawthorne, of Keighley police, said he would be interested to hear from Mr Moore regarding the damage to the well.

He said police had no reports of a vandalism or anti-social behaviour problem in the Thwaites Brow area, but urged those affected to report it to the police on 01535 617059.