Vandals tear up cricket pitch with quad bikes

Pictures posted by Whittlesey Cricket Club show damage to the cricket square

A cricket club says it fears the start to the new season will be delayed after its newly-prepared grounds were vandalised.

Members of Whittlesey Cricket Club said they were "shocked" and "disappointed" to find the Manor Ground pitch on Station Road had been torn up by quad bikes on Monday.

Club chairman Dave Walker said the incident has caused "significant" damage to the ground, which could delay their start to the new season in mid-April.

Cambridgeshire Police has launched an investigation into the incident.

The club anticipates it will be very expensive to repair the pitch

The club - which plays in the Rutland League - relies on sponsors and memberships for its financial survival and predicted that repairs would be expensive.

"We are not a wealthy club by any means," Mr Walker said.

"Over the past 12 months, a lot of money and time had gone in to re-develop the Manor Ground and bring it up to standard.

"The vandalism has occurred on the most important part of the pitch and will cost a considerable amount of time and money to put back.

"There's no way we could be ready in time for the season starting in mid-April."

A fence was also destroyed during the incident at the cricket club

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Cambridgeshire Police.