HOOLIGANS have smashed windows and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at Portishead Cricket Club.

The vandalism is the worst ever experienced by the Lake Road club.

Chairman Mike Savory said: “Club members are devastated at the attack.

“Some of the windows had every inch of glass smashed from the frames and, as it was toughened glass, it would have taken immense effort to do this. It wasn’t done by passers-by.”

The premises have now been temporarily boarded up while scene of crime investigators inspect the site.

The incident took place between 1pm on March 9 and 11am the next day.

According to residents, it was a night when the streets and Lake Grounds adjacent to the cricket club were awash with teenagers.

A senior citizen who did not want to be named said: “There were scores more teenagers around than there have been of late.

“I think the milder weather brought them out, it was on a par with the Lake Grounds on a summer evening.”

Antisocial behaviour at the Lake Grounds has in the past increased when the weather gets warmer and is often raised as a PACT priority during the summer months.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the police on 101.