VANDALS wreaked havoc at a Victorian fete in Egerton at the weekend trashing a charity gazebo and smashing bottles.

Stallholder Jennifer Moore returned on Sunday morning to find that her gazebo had been slashed and torn by yobs on Saturday night.

Organisers spent the first couple of hours of clearing glass before visitors arrived for the second day of the event. Mrs Moore, who was raising cash for the Destitute Animal Shelter charity, said the attack had left them out of pocket.

She said: "The gazebo was in a right state. It has ruined our weekend. We didn't raise that much money on Saturday because of the poor weather, but the cost of replacing the gazebo will leave us in the red. It's shameful whoever has done this."

One of the organisers, Sandra Schofield, said: "It was absolutely horrendous when we arrived at 7am yesterday morning. There was glass everywhere from idiots who had decided to smash bottles around the site. I was in tears."

But Mrs Schofield said that they were determined that the vandal attack would not spoil the enjoyment for thousands of visitors to the Victorian Fete.

She said: "Apart from the vandal attack it has been a great festival, something for the community. We were determined that we would not let a group of idiots spoil the fun for everybody else."

Volunteers in period costume ran stalls, and there was Victorian games such as splat the rat, skittles and a coconut shy on offer for visitors.

The Victorian tea rooms, school room, bedroom and kitchen were all open to the public during the two day event.

Regulars from eight local pubs competed for the title of Tug of War champions and morris dancers entertained the crowds.

Volunteers collected funds for Cancer Research UK.

Police are investigating.