A KART club could be forced to leave Wombwell after a wave of vandalism, according to those who run it.

South Yorkshire Kart Club, which has been based off Station Road for more than 50 years, was subject to a serious arson attack  when tyres were set on fire.

Both the karting and neighbouring athletics clubs have had a number of arson attacks over recent months.

Secretary of the kart club, Donna Baines, said they have talked about closing the track in light of the vandalism.

Donna, 34, said: "It first started a few months ago with a gang throwing bottles on the track whilst eight-year-olds were racing.

"Since then vandalism has become more regular and it's a massive concern because we are a voluntary organisation and can't afford to keep dealing with it.

"The tyres that were set on fire could easily have spread to the track and ruined the tarmacadam which would have closed us down."The fire brigade is being called at least two or three times a week.

"The damage they have caused is now well into the thousands and we have talked about selling up."

Volunteers at the athletics club says they have been forced to give the fire brigade a pair of keys to get in as it is called out so regularly.

Group manager Kevin Ronan, of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: "Incidents such as these take up a large amount of our resources when they could be needed at genuine life-threatening emergencies.

"These small fires have the potential to spread to properties and could put lives at risk."