VANDALS have left a kart club reeling with more thousands of pounds worth in damage and repair costs.

South Yorkshire Kart Club (SYKC), based at the athletic stadium on Station Road, Wombwell, has been left with a bill for £10-15,000 after vandals prised open anti-vandal shutters, and trashed the race control building and toilet block.

Expensive equipment, including a sit-on lawnmower, generators and a PA system were also taken in the break in.

Donna Baines, club secretary, said: "They have literally torn the anitvandal proof shutters from the windows. Police think it could be a professional outfit because of the commitment.

"The actual damage cost more than the equipment taken. It is money we haven't got."

Donna said the club is trying to repair the damage before the second weekend in September, when the Northern Kart Federation is heading to the track and bringing drivers from all over the country with them.

The kart club has been running for more than 50 years but recently has been the target of several acts of vandalism, including skip and tyre fires. Vandals even set fire to their food van in January.