A Scout leader has pleaded for help in replacing thousands of pounds of equipment ruined by vandals.

Group leader Tony Soper was told by Allhallows Parish Council that vandals had broken the door of the 7th Allhallows Scout Group’s equipment store in The Brimp.

Mr Soper, who manages the group, discovered the vandals had ransacked the building throwing all the group’s equipment across the floors and set off six fire extinguishers in the building, destroying expensive tents and sports equipment.

He said: “A white substance has been left all over the equipment. I have tried wiping it off, but it just smears into the materials.”

Nothing was stolen.

He said: “We are talking in the thousands. There are six tents and they are £500 each.

“Then there is art and sports equipment and other bits and pieces.

“It’s very depressing, I feel sad that they had nothing else to do but cause damage.

“I feel angry at them. I’m upset, annoyed and disappointed because it looks like it is kids that have done it, and it is kids that will suffer because of it.”

Mr Soper, who has four children, said the group could not get insurance for the equipment as it was being stored in an outbuilding.

The Scouts, who meet at the Lower Stoke Methodist Church in Allhallows Road after moving about two years ago, hope donations could be made to help them buy new equipment.

Mr Soper has been Scout leader since last November, and added: “We are hoping someone can help us out to replace the equipment.”

If you can help the group replace their equipment please call Tony on 01634 272769.