A RUGBY club is warning people to stay off its pitch after fencing was vandalised.

The attack at Yarnbury RFC, in Horsforth, over the weekend has been reported to the police.

Yarnbury's pitch coordinator Alan Briggs said there had been an on-going problem of vandalism and suspected drug dealing during the time of Covid restrictions .

In the latest incident 16 heavy duty plastic fence posts were attacked and it is believed a hammer was used to smash them . During the second lockdown last year vandals used a shovel to smash fencing.

Mr Briggs said: "During lockdown there have been a lot of cars arriving at night-time. We assume there has been dealing going on. There has been drug paraphenalia in the car park."

He added: "I don't know why they are doing it. It is just vandalism for the sake of vandalism."

He said the damage was not expected to delay the pitch re-opening planned for March 29, subject to Covid restrictions.

The pitch is owned by the Rugby Football Union and was installed in 2018.