Vandals have caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage at a West Cumbrian cricket club.
The damage was caused on Sunday at Egremont Cricket Club and comes on the eve of a new season at Gillfoot.
Damage has been caused to a clubhouse window, scorebox door and covers.
Senior player Dave Raynor, a former club captain and now a committee member, said: “We have never had vandalism on this scale and in total it will cost about £6,000 to 7,000 replace them all.
“The frame of the covers was totally warped and both cross beams with wheels on have been snapped off.
“The door into the score-box was booted in and the lock snapped while a fully glazed window was smashed.”
Egremont will be playing in the Cumbria League’s First Division this season, following last year’s relegation.
The second team play in the Eden Valley League Division One and a third team play in the West Cumbria League.
They also run a ladies team in the North Cumbria Softball League and have youth teams operating at Under-11s, Under-13s and Under-15s levels.
Mr Raynor said: “We have no plans to bring in an overseas player this year, hopefully next season but things like this won’t help being able to afford one.”
Cumbria police are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101..
