REDDITCH'S new countryside centre has been targeted by vandals for the second time in a month - leaving the council with a repair bill for thousands of pounds.

On Saturday night, yobs broke into the centre's grounds in Arrow Valley Park and broke five windows, including a huge pane of glass in the stairwell, pulled out light fittings and broke a bench.

They also daubed racist graffiti on paths around the centre, including swastikas, and threw lifebuoys and other equipment into the lake.

The damage is the latest setback for the £850,000 state-of-the-art facility after windows were broken three weeks ago.

The centre was also forced to close for a week in July when travellers set up camp nearby.

Manager Steve Sullivan said: "It's sad that people have to destroy what has been built.

"All the money we spend repairing it will mean we are unable to develop the centre further in terms of the educational output."

Mr Sullivan said children attending summer activities at the centre were being forced to walk past the racist graffiti, which was very hard to remove.

A council spokesman said the vandals were extremely determined to enter the grounds of the centre as it was surrounded by a fence and locked up at night.

He said if it happened again security at the centre would need to be reviewed and added: "This is heartbreaking.

"We have established a first-rate facility for everyone in Redditch, which is proving very popular.

"This kind of calculated vandalism is disheartening for staff and really sets us back.

"How long can we keep replacing and repairing fixtures and fittings?

"Our staff will get the centre back to normal as soon as possible and it is still open."

The centre was opened by environmentalist Dr David Bellamy in April and provides educational exhibitions, a gift shop, conference facilities and water sport activities.

Anyone with details of the vandalism, which happened between 11pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday, can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.