VANDALS are systematically dismantling Burnden Park, leaving behind the wrecked shell of the once proud stadium.

Several times, caravan dwellers have trashed the car park next to Burnden Park after being evicted, leaving the former main car park and adjoining supermarket site littered with heaps of rubbish including bottles, bricks, dirty nappies and even old three piece suites.

Travellers in about 30 caravans invaded the land again last week, and residents living nearby described the scene left behind as "disgusting."

One man said that as well as the damage at the former Normid store site, a "disgraceful mess" had been made of the former Bolton Wanderers' ground.

The old ticket office was used as toilets, the former police surveillance tower was wrecked, the executive suite was smashed up and even two big metal doors at the embankment side of the ground were stolen.

He said: "The ground is being totally dismantled and I am sure it is the gipsies or travellers at fault. It is absolutely sickening."

The gipsies were evicted on Monday. However, spokesman for Bolton Wanderers, Mr Alan Fullelove, described the situation at Burnden as "very sad".

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