Vandals have a field day

RUT and RUIN: vandals have damaged the playing surface with quad bikes

Vandals have damaged Chadderton playing fields undergoing a major refurbishment.

Quad bike riders left pitches at Crossley playing fields heavily rutted. It is believed a car has also been driven on the fields. In another incident a bonfire left a large charred area.

Councillor Graham Shuttleworth, chair of Chadderton district executive, said: “We are really annoyed by this mindless vandalism. We’ve not even finished refurbishing the playing fields but people are already setting out to wreck work that was years in the planning.”

The £550,000 refurbishment is being paid for by the council, the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund, local football clubs and firms.

The finished playing fields and changing room improvements are due to be ready for the start of the 2015/16 football season.

Information about the vandalism culprits can be given to the council’s environmental services team on 0161-770 4067.