ST JOHN Ambulance bosses in Leyland fear a life-saving caravan could have been used as a drugs den.

The voluntary organisation's van, full of medical equipment, was broken into over Easter and the ambulance service has found a catalogue of damage.

They say the van, which was parked in a secure yard at Prestolite Electric Ltd, off Cleveland Road in the town, was covered in graffiti.

Police forensics teams have searched the site for fingerprints, and the caravan has now been moved. It will be out of action for around two months, at one of the busiest times of year.

John MacDonald, duty sergeant for the St John Ambulance, said: "You feel disgusted, because public money has been put into that. We are entirely a voluntary organisation, we don't get any government money and the people of Leyland support us and keep us going."

The caravan, worth about £8,000, is used by the service at events across the county.

The vandals are thought to have climbed through a gap in a fence and smashed through its doors.

Once inside, they sprayed graffiti on the walls and ceiling, and Mr MacDonald believes they smoked cannabis. He also found urine in bottles. He added: "Because they have been smoking pot in there, it absolutely stinks. All the upholstery is going to need looking at and maybe even replaced. I haven't put a value on the damage."

Mr MacDonald is now hoping somebody will recognise the names on the graffiti.

Police in Leyland have now increased patrols in the area.

Inspector Neil Chessell of Leyland police said: "There has been a spate of damage in the area which has generally occurred to vehicles that are kept within industrial premises.

"We are working with local companies to prevent this mindless damage that we believe to be youth related."

Anybody with information should call the police on 01772 415834.