Vandals set fire to a trailer and splattered Eldwick gala showground with paint just hours after the event was declared a great success.

A 30-feet trailer, loaned free for the event, was wrecked by fire and a gang broke into the junior football club and daubed names all over the grass with a white line machine.

Firefighters from Bingley were called to the recreation ground by the village Memorial Hall just after 11.30pm last night to put out the fire on the flatback wagon which belongs to Watkinson haulage in Keighley and had been used as a platform for special guests.

Ann Foster, gala secretary, said after such a successful, good-spirited gala day which attracted more than 3,000 people she was disgusted to find the damage.

"We had a wonderful day yesterday with the best weather, lots of people and a real sense of community and we are shocked and disgusted by what has happened." The gala was opened yesterday by Emmerdale star Christopher Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, and visitors enjoyed a fly-over from a Spitfire plane and demonstration by strongman Mighty Smith.

Villager Alistair Coy, who arrived for the clean-up operation today, said the cost of the vandalism could wipe out the profits from the gala which raised around £1,000 for local charities.

"The trailer looks like a complete write off. They have lit a fire underneath it . Everybody is very upset. I don't know how we are going to be able to get the trailer off the field because they have set fire to three of the tyres."

Keith Watkinson, of Watkinson Lifting and Transportation, said the damage could be as much as £3,000 and he would not be lending out a trailer again.

Graham Franz, a past chairman of the junior football club, said: "They have taken the white line machine and gone beserk on the pitch."

Anybody who witnessed the attack should contact Bradford Police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.