Leisure bosses have hit out a vandals who ripped up sports pitches in Clacton causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

The cricket square and hockey pitch at Vista Road were driven over by a car and motorbikes on three successive nights.

The vandals left tyre marks across the grass which was churned up by the wheels of the vehicles.

Police have sent video tapes away to be enhanced in a bid to identify the culprits.

Brian Bennett, head of leisure services at Tendring Council, said he could not understand the mentality of those responsible.

"It really sickens me. This is just wanton vandalism," he said.

"They are not getting anything out of it and it is a total waste of everyone's time and money."

The vandals twice smashed their way through a large padlock to get through a gate and on to the recreation ground. Then when a granite block was put in place to ensure a car could not get through they used motorbikes.

Mr Bennett said the cricket square was the premier one in the district and used by Clacton Cricket Club's first eleven for East Anglian League matches.

"It is fortunate this did not happen in the summer as we have the time to repair it," he added.

"But the groundsman has already put a great deal of work in to prepare the square for next season - some of which has been ruined."

Neil Cavender, chairman of Clacton Cricket Club, said it was the second year running the club has suffered.

Last year about £400 worth of damage was done to covers protecting the pitch.

"It is just so mindless and I cannot understand what pleasure they get from it it," he said.

"It is very disheartening for the groundsman Quentin Cole who has done so much work of the square over the last few years."

The cost of repairs to the turf and gate will be around £500.

Insp Richard Day of Clacton police said officers were investigating the incidents on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week.

"Two tapes given to us by the leisure centre have been sent away to be enhanced," he added.

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