A dirt track being restored by a cancer patient so cyclists can use it has been destroyed.

Dan Pett, 28, from Maidstone had been working on the worn-down route in Wrotham for a fortnight but found his efforts undone when he visited the site on Sunday, September 21.

The bar manager was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April and started renovating the track as a form of exercise. He used to visit it as a child.

It is next to the High Street’s Cricket Rec but had been poorly maintained for several years.

Mr Pett, of Shervilles, Barming, had been renovating it with friend Richard Price, 28, despite being half way through a chemotherapy course, working part time and frequently feeling ill because of his treatment.

He now plans to cycle elsewhere.

The manager of the Bucks Head in Godden Green said: “I have no idea how it happened or who did it – but I would like to know.

“It’s a shame all that hard work went to waste but never mind. I’m just seeing it as one of those things.

“Richard and I will look for somewhere else now.

“We thought it would be nice to give something back to the community.

“It was overgrown and a lot needed doing. I asked the cricket club for permission first too.

“It got me out in the sun and served as a bit of exercise which is something I don’t get a lot of at the moment.”

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men, after prostate and lung cancer and the second most common in women, after breast cancer.