Furious golfers have hit out at vandals who tore up part of a course while players were teeing off.

Bosses at Canterbury Golf Club say nuisance bikers have caused thousands of pounds of damage in a series of incidents – and fear the situation could turn violent.

The club's chairman Steve Eeles says in the latest attacks, the motorcyclists drove onto the club's course twice in the space of two days.

"Last Friday afternoon a couple of motorbikes came along the public footpath that crosses our 7th and 9th holes and proceeded to deliberately drive across the 8th and 9th greens," he said.

"Fortunately our general manager and course manager were on site and managed to get out on the course to prevent any further damage.”

The bikers then fled, leaving a scar in the green on the course, which had to be cut out and replaced with new grass.

But far worse was to come the following day, when two bikes were ridden onto the fairway on the 18th hole while golfers were still out playing the course.

When confronted by the players, the riders are said to have become abusive before pulling doughnuts on some of the greens and tees.

It left yet more expensive damage to be fixed on the course, which is in a conservation area and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"Saturday's incident was much more serious as the motorbike riders had a total disregard for golfers' safety," added Mr Eeles.

"They have caused thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds of damage and have left members, staff and local golfers feeling threatened."

The club boss added members were feeling frustrated with the lack of support given by authorities.

"Despite reporting at least five such incidents to the police in the last two to three months, nothing appears to have been done," he said.

General manager Roger Hyder said he was worried future incidents may result in violence between golfers and the bikers.

"Our overriding concern is that members will take matters into their own hands in protecting themselves and what they feel is their property should they feel threatened,” he explained.

"Obviously we discourage any such action from our members and visiting golfers, but in the heat of the moment you do worry."

It comes weeks after off-road bikers caused chaos at an abandoned golf course in Gravesend.

Sergeant John Woodward, of Canterbury Community Safety Unit, said: "Officers have been made aware of concerns about nuisance motorbikes in the area around Littlebourne Road and we understand the impact this has on local residents and those using the area for recreation.

"We are currently focused on this issue and I want to reassure local residents that we will continue to work with partners and local residents to intervene when issues are raised, seizing uninsured or unmarked bikes, as well as those being ridden in an anti-social manner.

"To help us in our operations, I urge anyone who witnesses anti-social or illegal off-road riding to report it through our website, or by calling 999 if a crime is in progress."