A SOUTH Cumbria football club is appealing for information after its home pitch was damaged by what a councillor called an act of 'unnecessary vandalism'.

Members of Cartmel Association Football Club (CAFC) woke up to find their pitch had been targeted by vandals who drove their vehicles over the turf.

The playing surface was visibly damaged by the act, as deep wheel tracks could be seen weaving across the pitch early on Saturday.

Bosses at the club, which plays near Cartmel racecourse, were so disappointed by the dicovery that they have decided to offer a reward to help find those responsible.

Cash will be paid for information which leads to the identification and prosecution of the vandals.

Cartmel Association Football Club bosses took to Twitter, saying: “Thanks (again) to the imbeciles who have decided to do this to pitch [sic]....just what we need as a local football club.

"If anyone has any info that leads to us being able to prosecute, we are offering a £500 reward for that info. We are checking the CCTV now too."

The village team’s ground was also vandalised less than a year ago, when drivers performed doughnuts across the sodden turf in what CAFC chairman, Steve Chambers, called a similarly 'mindless' act.

Community leaders slammed the vandalism as 'disgusting' and urged anyone with information to come forward.

South Lakeland District Councillor for Cartmel, Cllr Gill Gardner, said: 'It’s disgusting that anybody could do something like that - awful, appalling stuff.

'This is the first time I’ve heard of something like it happening here.'

The Conservative councillor for the Cartmel ward was also damning of the 'act of unnecessary vandalism'.

Cllr Michael Cornah said: 'It’s extremely regrettable that a keen local football club such as Cartmel could be put in a position of financial difficulty here through no fault of their own.

He added: 'I wish the football club every success in tracking down the culprit or culprits.'

Geraldine McKay, Cartmel Racecourse manager, said: 'We were saddened to hear the football pitch had been targeted by vandals.

'We have a number plate recognition system at the entrance to our car park to log drivers who fail to pay for parking. This is not the same as CCTV. It works very differently, so we’re unable to assist in finding those responsible on this occasion. If we were able to help, we would of course be in touch with Cumbria Police.'