YOUNG footballers were left with nowhere to aim after thieves stole goalposts worth £550 from locked garages at their ground.

Now a generous donation has got them back on target.

Four sets of under-12s FA regulation goalposts and two petrol strimmers were taken from Malvern Town Wanderers' ground, at Barnards Green Cricket Club, in North End Lane.

The posts, which fold down to a portable size, are made from special plastic to reduce the risk of injury to youngsters.

David Bijl, the under-10's manager, was upset by the theft.

"The club has only just moved to this ground and this sort of event makes life very difficult," he said.

A dozen disappointed children from the under-10's side arrived for practice last week to discover their goals had gone.

The club arranged to borrow posts from their opposition for the weekend's fixtures, which had been put at risk by the theft.

Ian Londesbrough, who helps coach the side, said: "I can't believe how mean it is to deprive children of something positive which is good for their health and self esteem."

Mr Londesbrough, who works for N-Power, successfully applied to the company's community grants scheme, which supports grass roots sporting and community activity.

Within a day they had agreed to fund replacements for the stolen goalposts.