A CRICKET club has been hit for six by a devastating vandalism attack.

Spectator seats have been badly damaged at Horwich Cricket Club and 10 heavy stone and wooden benches have been ripped up and hurled onto the pitch.

Many of the benches are more than 50 years old and have been left badly cracked. One was dedicated to the memory of a late club member.

Officials from the club in Ramsbottom Road arrived at the ground at the weekend to discover the scene of destruction.

Club president Ken Burns said: "Our members are devastated. There has been bits of vandalism going on for months, but this time they have really gone to town."

"The club provides sport for the area and for youngsters. It is run by a small committee and everything we do is voluntary. This is the thanks we get."

In 1997, officials were left with a huge repair bill after the clubhouse was wrecked in a late night attack. Furniture was hurled about, windows smashed and bar pumps ripped apart. Mirrors and team photographs were smashed, tomato ketchup was squirted over cupboards and floors, and fire extinguishers were let off.

The extent of last Friday night's attack is still being assessed by club officials. They said it was too early to put an estimate on how much the damage has cost.

Officials from the club, which has two senior and four junior teams, have appealed for help from the local community and councillors to curb the vandals.

Mr Burns said: "We are fed up but we will never walk away, although it does get disheartening. There is no point in reporting it to the police.

"It costs £10,000 each year to play cricket here and we get a lot of help from our sponsors, but enough is enough.

"The people of Horwich need to be aware of the problem, as all the work we do is for future generations."

The club's new season is will start in April.