VANDALS on wheels have caused extensive damage to one of Blackburn’s main sports pitch complexes – the second such incident in East Lancashire in weeks.

A motorbike left deep tracks and black marks across the football pitches at Pleasington Playing Fields.

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The nine pitches are used regularly by several football teams and Blackburn with Darwen Council is trying to repair the damage as soon as possible to avoid cancelling this weekend’s games.

Borough environment boss Jim Smith is appealing for witnesses to try to prevent a repeat of what he branded “pointless vandalism”.

The fields have been hit repeatedly by vandals in cars and on motorbikes over the years, notably in 2010 and 2002.

In May last year the council had to step up security after ‘selfish’ vandals, using fence posts as cricket wickets, damaged the fields.

And over the Christmas and New Year period a newly-repaired pitch at Belvedere and Calder Vale Sports Club, in Holden Road, Reedley, was left ruined by tyre tracks.

The incident on December 30 left club bosses “devastated” as £60,000 was spent on the surface last summer to improve drainage.

Vandals also struck at Corporation Park’s Victorian conservatory on New Year’s Eve, smashing 10 windows.

The building was targeted in a similar attack around two years ago, although it is not known whether the two incidents are related.

In 2012 and 2003, the statue of Flora in Corporation Park, which dates from 1871, was vandalised.

Councillor Smith said of the latest vandalism at the playing fields: “We are urging anyone with information to come forward.

“These pitches are well used and a popular and valuable community resource.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that the football season is not disrupted as a result of this pointless vandalism.”

“The issue has been reported to the police and we have asked them to increase their patrols in the area.”

Pleasington Playing Fields is one of Blackburn’s main council-owned recreation areas with nine football and four cricket pitches.

It is used regularly at weekends and during the week for competitive matches. involving dozens of sports clubs.

It is also frequently used for training by the clubs in the evening.