VANDALS have left Avoncroft Cricket Club picking up the pieces after they went on the rampage on the cricket square.

Yobs wrecked the carefully tended grass by playing golf and football, as well as smashing bottles and setting light to rubbish.

The vandalism comes just months after the club's garage was ram-raided by thieves.

Paul Athey, captain of the club's first XI, said: "After the ram-raid our insurance rocketed. The only way we could keep costs down was by having a large excess on our insurance, which means the petty vandalism that costs £100 or so has to be paid for by us."

He added: "We feel powerless to stop the vandalism and we feel there's nothing the police can do either."

The Hanbury Road club has been plagued by youths drinking and vandalising the cricket pavilion, as well as dog walkers allowing their pets to foul the square.

In the past the pavilion has suffered fire damage and broken glass.

Police have been called to a number of disturbances at the club and at the play area next door.

Stoke Prior Parish Council is in the process of getting an alcohol ban secured for the play area but that will not extend to the cricket club.

A public footpath runs around the edge of the square, which means the club cannot lock the gates.

Avoncroft Cricket Club has been in operation since the 1940s when it was set up by the Cadbury family.