Cricket stalwart Chris Smith has slammed vandals who are hitting club funds for six in a campaign of 'wanton' destruction.

Mr Smith, a former captain and current chairman of Otley Cricket Club, says systematic vandalism at the Crossgreen pavilion and pitch is costing the club thousands of pounds.

And he has appealed for the public's help in identifying the culprits, most of whom are believed to be underage drinkers gathering at weekends.

"It's absolutely appalling the amount of damage and destruction that's happening on a regular basis," he said.

"We know it's kids who are doing it and they are wrecking facilities for other young kids who really benefit from what we provide. We have a thriving junior section - and it's frustrating and annoying what they are doing."

Mr Smith said the club had been targeted by youths for a considerable length of time. "We've found large amounts of empty alcohol bottles there. I don't know who is selling it to them but they obviously gather at the shelter of the pavilion where it's quiet to get drunk," he said.

And they have caused a catalogue of problems for members, ranging from litter and discarded bottles on the pitch to such deliberate acts of vandalism as:

l broken glass ground into the grass where cricketers would play.

l a metal pole smashed through a clubhouse window.

l holes made in the ground around the pavilion and on the pitch.

l repeated attacks on the score box.

Mr Smith said: "The cricket score box alone is going to cost us in the region of £1,000 to replace and that's no exaggeration. Just on Saturday night they had the wooden door off its hinges.

"As for the glass, we've discovered it ground into the grass, which obviously is very dangerous because you don't al-ways see it."

Club members hope people will help fight the vandals by being vigilant during weekends and evenings. Mr Smith said the situation was ruining a lot of hard work: "There are a lot of people here who put in time and work through the year to run this club and provide a facility for the youngsters in Otley.

"What these other youngsters are doing is ruining a club which they could enjoy if they only wanted to"

Anyone with information about the vandals should contact Otley Police on (01943) 858071.

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