A cricket club has been struck by vandals, just days before one of the biggest days in its history.

Players from Horsmonden CC yesterday discovered that their new wet weather pitch cover had been burned in three places, leaving holes in the canvas.

The £3,000 covers were awarded to the club by the English Cricket Board (ECB) because of its outstanding commitment to the sport.

It comes after the team worked hard to build relations with local young people, creating a seating on the veranda for them to use when the pitch isn't being used.

Chairman Nick Paul said: " It is such a shame that local people could do this to the cricket club when we do so much for the community.

"The club has suffered from petty vandalism in the past and was quite draconian about it, wanting to put barbed wire up around the pavilion.

"Since I've been chairman my view is that we wanted to engage with the local kids and have tried to provide facilities for them to come and sit and chill out.

"To find this vandalism was very disappointing."

The vandalism was discovered on Thursday, just two days before the club was about to face one of the most important days in its long history.

Wins for the 1st XI would see them in touching distance of winning Division One Kent Village County League. The 2nd team would be a step closer to achieving promotion to Division Three.

But with rain forecast, the covers would have given the club every chance of ensuring the game was not called off.

The club, which plays at the Dog House Ground in Maidstone Road, has said it will arrange to have the covers repaired.

One of the oldest documented cricket clubs in the world, founded in 1743, Horsmonden has four senior and four junior teams.

This week stricken Yalding Cricket Club was targeted by burglars, who stole equipment including a lawn mower.