DEVASTATED Red Cross volunteers are appealing for the public's help in catching arsonists who wrecked their ambulance.

The ambulance is used by Biddulph Red Cross at numerous events including the town's Christmas lights switch-on.

The vehicle was to be on duty next month at a sponsored walk, which ironically is being organised to help charities including the Red Cross.

The ambulance was targeted by vandals in the early hours of Saturday, with yobs smashing their way into the vehicle before setting equipment on fire.

Thousands of pounds worth of equipment was destroyed in the blaze, and Red Cross chiefs estimate the cost of the attack to be between £12,000 and £15,000.

The ambulance was stored in a secure compound at the rear of the Port Vale FC club shop.

The Red Cross believe the arsonists may have regretted starting the fire, because they used fire extinguishers to try to douse the blaze.

"The intruders had set fire to blankets and other items in the back of the ambulance," said Red Cross spokesman Michael Watson.

"They obviously felt guilty as they tried to put out the fire with extinguishers on the ambulance.

"As a result the entire contents are now unusable.

"Members of Biddulph Red Cross are devastated by this attack, and would people who have any information to contact the police.

"We've had to let down event organisers who have booked us for cover in the coming weeks, and the damage compromised our ability to respond in times of crisis."