Vandals have been spoiling the fun for families at a pick your own pumpkins farm.

PYOPumpkins at Beluncle Farm in Hoo has attracted thousands of visitors since it opened earlier this month.

But some thoughtless visitors have been deliberately damaging the pumpkins in the field.

As the site is set to get even busier during half term this week, the owners have called for an end to the damage.

They posted online yesterday: “PYOPumpkins is very sad today. It takes eight months to grow and prepare for pumpkin picking and we still get people dropping, throwing and smashing pumpkins in the field.

"Unfortunately we cannot police all our visitors but we would be very happy if you call us on 07526 734293 when in the field to report any issues, then we can deal with your reports quickly.

"We realise it's a minority who ruin the field but it still makes us sad and it means less pumpkins for you as the week goes on.”

The post on the PYOPumpkins Facebook page prompted dozens of comments from people who said they had seen vandalism taking place, with some children jumping on the pumpkins or kicking them.

Danie Day said: “We were there yesterday and couldn't believe the amount of children throwing and kicking the pumpkins, with the adults they were with taking no notice.”

Donna Goggins said: "I was there today, and also witnessed lots of dropping, throwing and kicking the pumpkins. I also noticed there was a few groups of 'kids' without adults. Such a shame."

Kayleigh Fieldhouse added: "We saw a lot of this going on today and was cross especially when children doing it was not blinked at by their parents."

The popular PYO event, now one of the biggest in the UK, began in 2010 when the Batchelor family was left with a surplus of pumpkins they had grown for themselves.

The event raises money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK (CCUK) and Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association (CICRA).