Vandals have put their lives at risk by ripping up a golf course's newly-laid turf sprayed with toxic chemicals that can kill.

The attack at Bradford West Golf Club saw the vandals strip away grass covered in an insecticide containing 57 per cent lindane - a highly-poisonous substance which can be lethal in concentrated amounts.

It is manufactured by Zeneca Agro-Chemicals and comes with a skull and cross bones health warning on the bottle.

Ground staff at the club wore protective masks and clothing when they treated a teeing off area with the blue coloured Gamma-Col spray on Monday.

The insecticide is particularly potent for the first two weeks of use, so the area was cordoned off and clear warning signs were put up.

But, when the vandals struck last night they stole the signs and ripped up 10 square yards of turf.

Police fear the vandals may have contaminated themselves with the Gamma-Col treatment. Dr Bob Mark, associate specialist at the accident and emergency department at Bradford Royal Infirmary urged the vandals to seek medical advice.

"Lindane can be absorbed through the skin and anyone who has come into contact with it will feel awful, and in severe cases they could die," he said. "They will feel nauseous, have skin rashes and generally feel ill. I would advise them to seek urgent medical help, take a good shower and dispose of their clothing."

Lindane is an organophosphate which can be lethal in concentrated form. In the past it was used to kill off head lice.

Police officers have issued a health warning and urged the culprits to get themselves checked out at hospital.

Kevin Coalfax, greenkeeper at the Chellow Grange Road golf club, said: "I've got no sympathy with them. They stole the warning signs and were hell bent on ripping up the turf. They've dumped it at the side of the tee, so if they weren't wearing gloves it will be all over their hands.

"It's highly toxic stuff. We only sprayed the turf on Monday and there has been no rain to dilute it - so it will have been particularly potent."

The Health and Safety Executive are investigating the matter, but at the moment there is no suggestion the club did not follow the correct procedure.

Sergeant Roy Wensley, of Toller Lane Police, said: "There were clear warning signs, but whoever vandalised the turf seems to have ignored them."

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