GOLFERS at a Ben Rhydding club claim their fairways have been ruined by an onslaught of selfish sledgers.

The club, at High Wood, traditionally allows fun seekers to take advantage of the snow and use its hilly course for sledging.

But, after last week's heavy snowfall had melted away, golfers returned to the greens to find piles of debris, abandoned sledges and serious damage to the slopes.

"This year we have been

vandalised to an alarming degree," said club secretary Alvin Leverton.

"We are part of the community and we've tried to support the community but this year the damage has been significant."

He said several flag sticks had disappeared from the course as well as a number of tee-markers.

Stones had been removed from their beds and thrown on the icy lake and stakes used to protect the greens had been removed or broken.

"One of our greens, the seventh, has been severely damaged by the volume of sledging," said Mr Leverton.

The damage inflicted on the fairways this year is so great that the club committee is now considering banning sledgers from using the course.

"It is private land and if this sort of damage continues then we will be policing the situation," said Mr Leverton.

"We might have to stop sledging altogether if we don't get co-operation."

l VANDALS could be responsible for pulling the plug on a popular paddling pool.

The outdoor pool, which is well-used by children sailing boats, has been mysteriously drained - leaving townsfolk wondering who was responsible.

Richard Perham, of Bradford City Council's countryside department, said a prankster playing a practical joke could be to blame.

He said: "It could be vandals. Somebody could have pulled open the hatch and let the water out."

Mr Perham said it was also possible that a pipe had become blocked with fir cones and other debris, allowing water to drain.

The countryside officer said he and his team were due to re-start work at the site in the next few weeks.

The pool had already fallen into a state of neglect to the dismay of parents.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is an ideal pond for sailing children's boats, it is shallow and just the right size.

"But last time I took my children up there it was dirty and there was a sort of green, slimy substance floating around.

"It is a wonderful resource for Ilkley people, which has been spoiled by the lack of competent maintenance."

Frazer Irwin, a local historian who had offered to clean and maintain the pool himself, said: "It is in a bit of a sorry state. There is no water in it and it is beginning to fall apart around the edges."

Work will be undertaken to refill the pool and work to clean it will take place later in the year.