YOUNG footballers in Cheadle have been left devastated after vandals ripped through nets and bent junior goalposts at their base in the town.

Two sets of Samba plastic posts were pulled out from behind Cheadle Primary School, in The Avenue, and broken beyond repair.

Nets on larger frames on the school pitches were also destroyed and a police investigation is ongoing.

Four youth teams from Cheadle Town and students from St Giles', Bishop Rawle, as well as youngsters from Cheadle Primary itself, all use the facility every week.

Cheadle Primary headteacher Mike Prescott – who discovered the damage when he turned up for work the following morning – is furious criminals have ruined equipment which is there for the benefit of the community.

He said: "We have always encouraged children to come and make the most of the school field and this is extremely disappointing.

"We have insurance but I'm afraid the claim would barely cover the increase in the premium.

"There are already more than enough projects for us to try and find funding but now we will be faced with a bill in the region of £400.

"But until the goals can be replaced the children will be unable to play mini soccer."

And Mr Prescott admitted more must now be done to increase security.

He said: "The police have promised to increase their presence and the whole field needs to be made more secure."

Elgin Smith, football development officer at Cheadle Town – where boys from under 10 to under 15 use the facility – has also been left counting the cost of the damage. He said: "We have 15 teams at our club all coached by volunteers and funded by subscriptions and it has always been hard to cover our expenses.

"Together with the schools, this will knock us back substantially.

"New goalposts do not come cheap.

"It is a terribly sad reflection on society when something which is there for the benefit of everyone can be so thoughtlessly ruined."

And Mr Smith is concerned vandals will also attack a new 'sports village' planned for the town.

An extension and resurfacing of the artificial pitch and a new changing pavilion form part of a £750,000 project at Thorley Drive expected to be given the green light by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council next month.

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Mr Smith said: "It would be absolutely awful if we get this new wonderful facility only for it to be vandalised.

"It would be wise to have the whole area completely fenced off but I'm afraid all the money for the scheme seems to have already been tied up."

Inspector Mark Rigby of Cheadle Police explained how school premises have traditionally been a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

He added: "It is a great shame when items are vandalised which are probably there for the benefit of the culprits themselves.

"No offenders have been arrested but our inquires continue."

Anyone with any information about the incident on the evening of Sunday, April 26 is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 2345.