VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a valued community facility in the latest in a spate of attacks.

The youths smashed five windows, destroyed exterior lights, shutters and plumbing, wrecked fencing and ripped lead and felt from the roof of the Hawthorn Centre on Blackbrook Avenue, Padgate, before smearing it with excrement.

The centre a registered charity which caters for all members of the community, including senior citizens, single mums, children and special needs students has been the victim of numerous attacks, which have left staff angry and frustrated.

In January, staff had to blockade the centre when a gang of around 30 youths broke in during a class and assaulted a member of staff.

When the police were called the thugs struck again that weekend, causing more than £2,000 worth of damage.

On the most recent attack, tables were set out for the next day's pensioners' lunch and vandals threw bricks into the hall, aiming them at the tables, chairs and cutlery.

Clr Mike Hannon, manager of the Hawthorn Centre, said: "These youths should be looking at what we can offer them here at the centre and engaging actively in that.

"The door is open for young people to come and talk to me about what they want so that they can enjoy the centre.

"We are a registered charity doing our best for the community and these attacks are having a huge bearing on our running costs. We will carry on regardless but damage to this extent really knocks the stuffing out of us."