VANDALS caused thousands of pounds damage when they went on a wrecking spree at a Hampshire paintball centre's car park.

An estimated 16 cars were targeted in the attack, which took place at the Delta Force paintball centre in Lee Lane, south of Romsey, yesterday afternoon.

Players returned to their vehicles to find that front and rear windscreens had been smashed and personal belongings strewn around the car park, which is not visible from the main centre as it is located behind a hill.

But when they complained to centre staff, they said they were told a similar incident had taken place two weeks previously and that they could play again for free.

One of the victims of the vandalism was teenager Paul Hood, from Midanbury, Southampton, pictured, who was at the centre with his brother and cousin to celebrate his coming 18th birthday.

The rear windscreen of his Renault Clio was smashed and the parcel shelf was ripped from its sockets.

Paul's aunt, Paula Whistler, said: "I wanted to make sure the boys were having fun so I headed down to the centre at about 3.30pm.

"As I drove up the path and into the car park I saw the back window of Paul's car had been smashed and his parcel shelf was hanging out.

"I looked around the car park, and noticed that out of the 20 cars in there, 16 had had their windows smashed."

The 41-year-old, of Bitterne Park, said that her nephew was devastated when he saw the damage to his car.

She said: "He had thought about having a party to celebrate his birthday on Wednesday but instead chose to play paintball with his brother and cousin instead.

"What happened completely spoilt his birthday celebrations.

"That car is his pride and joy - he is gutted."

Paul's mum Debra had paid £130 to send the three paintballing, and a further £120 on paintballs.

"We're now going to have to fork out loads more to get the window replaced," Mrs Whistler added.

"When we complained, the Delta Force staff said that the same thing had happened two weeks previously, and that the lads could play again for free.

"But there's no way we - or any of the other 16 carloads of people - are going to go near that place again.

"If they knew this sort of thing was going on there should have been someone watching the cars at all times."

Hampshire police confirmed that an investigation into the vandalism was under way.

No one from Delta Force was available for comment.