Yobs wreaked havoc at a cricket club as they tore down a metal door, threw paint on the pitch – and even set fire to tea bags.

Lordswood Cricket Club on North Dane Way, Chatham, had been refurbished ready for the new season as part of a Cricket Force initiative, which invests in grassroots cricket.

Volunteers of all ages turned out to help paint walls and assemble practice nets. But last week it was targeted by vandals.

Richard Cross, who co-ordinated the revamp, said: “The metal door to the Portakabin is heavy and held on by bolts and padlocks, so it would have taken at least three or four people to break in.

“They were obviously on a mission to carry out wanton criminal damage. We were storing leftover paint in the building, but these people got their hands on that and threw it all over the furniture and carpets.

“They smashed all the plates and cups and were petty enough to break individual knife handles.

“They even set fire to individual tea bags. I mean, how do you explain the mindset of that? It was clearly a concerted assaulted on the club facilities.”

Mr Cross, 50, said vandalism and criminal damage was a ongoing problem across Lordswood Sports and Social Club.

He added that it did not seem to be a problem with the cricketers directly, as the football, rugby and bowls club are often having to make calls to police over fencing being destroyed and other damage.

Around 10 years ago the clubhouse on the same site, which was then used by the rugby team, was destroyed in an arson attack too.

“We’re a non-profit organisation and this is going to cost about £700 to set right, which means less money to invest in our club and our players.

“Somebody might know something, or if anybody would like to help with donations or items like crockery and paint, they would be graciously received.”

If you can help with a donation, call Mr Cross on 07738 956987 or email richardjcross@virginmedia.com.