Vandals used a metal pole to tear up three bowling greens during a wrecking spree condemned as "mindless".

A Bradford Council park keeper discovered the damage at the Peel Park Bowling Club as he carried out his usual rounds.

Each green had scores of divots ripped out of its surface and a large section of turf had been ripped up and thrown on to footpaths.

Bradford Council is now battling to repair the three crown greens before the opening of the bowling season next Wednesday.

Peel Park Bowling Club chairman Jim Millar said the attack was the worst act of vandalism he had known since he became chairman 50 years ago.

He said: "I went down to have a look at the damage and it is just heartbreaking.

"The council has said it will replace the divots but the greens will never be the same again.

"I think the vandalism is related to the fact that the greens were fenced off to the public just before the winter.

"You could walk right past the greens before but we had a lot of trouble with motorcycles driving on the grass, so the fencing had to go up.

"It's as if somebody has a bit of a grudge because they couldn't get through, so they thought they would destroy the greens."

David Talbot, the council's outdoor amenities manager, said the repair bill would run into hundreds of pounds.

The work was scheduled to be completed by next Monday.

He said: "We will begin repairs as soon as possible. We are appalled at this level of mindless vandalism and we would ask anyone in the area who saw anything to contact the Park Rangers on (01274) 752696 or the police."

Sergeant Keith Boots, of Bradford North Community Safety Department, said he recognised the damaging effects an attack like this had on the community.

He urged anyone with information about the attack on Sunday night to call him on (01274) 376255.