VANDALS have damaged more than £6,000 worth of equipment at Newbridge Cricket Club.

The club at the Welfare Grounds on Bridge Street, Newbridge, was targeted overnight by vandals who set fire to a new BBQ worth £150 and have damaged a cover for the wickets worth £6,500.

Chairman of Newbridge Cricket Club Jonathan Wellington, said: "The boys went down there this morning as we have a league game against Abergavenny at home later today. They found a couple of the covers pushed to one end of the ground.

"The new BBQ which was only a week old had been set on fire and they completely crushed one of the covers. It looks like it has been jumped on - it's damaged beyond repair."

He added: "We are a self-funded club run by volunteers. Today's game will go ahead as it is dry but the risk is that without the cover is that we can't put a game on. We have a touring side coming on Monday if that has to be cancelled we could lose around £1,500 in revenue."

"It is very frustrating as members put in a huge amount of effort into the club. It's frustrating as it's all for Newbridge community; we run an under 11's side, under 12's, under 14's and a senior side - we try to be inclusive. It's really frustrating."

Mr Wellington said the club will be looking at options to raise money or apply for funding to secure the site with more fencing.

Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting log number 186 23/07/16.