VANDALS have gone on a destructive rampage at a bowling club just three weeks before the season starts.

Members of the Howard Park Bowling Club in Basingstoke were shocked to discover thousands of pounds worth of damage when they turned up to the club at about 10am on Tuesday, April 4.

The club, established in 1969, has between 70 and 80 members and is situated in Pinkerton Road, South Ham.

The 52ft Perspex and steel canopy that runs along the front of the clubhouse has been pulled down on both ends, and some of the panels were torn off and thrown around.

A paving slab was pulled up, a picnic table was overturned and potted plants and benches were found thrown across the green along with two wheelie bins and their contents.

The door of the storage unit was also damaged and covered in muddy footprints where someone tried to kick it open.

Club chairman Tom Garland, 72, said: "I hope they see these pictures and the damage they've done and feel proud of themselves. What they get out of it, I don't know. It's just mindless vandalism. They didn't steal anything so they got nothing from it."

He added: "They've caused several thousands of pounds worth of damage. It won't stop us playing but it's very inconvenient, especially as the bowling season starts on April 26."

Club member Bob Hutchings, of Paddock Road, said: "It's disgusting. It seems that anything that people aren't interested in themselves, they wreck for others."

Pc Richard Heard, beat bobby for South Ham, said: "We would urge anyone with information about the incident to report it to police so we can bring the offenders to justice."

Information can be reported to Basingstoke police on 0845 0454545 or confidentially to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

First published: Thursday, April 6, 2006