A spate of vandalism at a recreation ground has led to frustrated committee members calling in the police.

Alf Martin, long-serving groundsman at Great Yeldham sports ground, discovered vandals had defaced the cricket pitch by scuffing initials into the earth.

This latest attack follows other acts of vandalism, including damage to goalposts and the removal of a supporting post at the cricket pavilion.

It was the final straw for members of the committee who have contacted the police.

Mr Martin said: "I have been working on the pitch since the end of February and it was looking really good. We even rented a roller for £130 in order to flatten it more.

"The vandalism could have been worse, but I am afraid that if something isn't done to stop this soon, it will snowball out of control."

Sports ground committee chairman Dave Lofting said: "This is the first year that we have had a real problem with vandalism.

"As a result we are considering the demolition of a small building on the field where children hang out."

Cricket club chairman Colin Attenborough said: "The Yeldham pitch has been looking magnificent this year - it is very disappointing to see it damaged like this, but it should be easy to repair."

The cricket season, which should begin next week, is in danger of being delayed because of the wet weather.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.