YOUNG vandals caused more than £300,000 of damage at a plant hire firm.

Police have issued an appeal after the damage to machinery at Ruttle Plant Hire on Ackhurst Road on the Common Bank Industrial Estate, Chorley.

CCTV has captured six youths entering the secure compound from the direction of Yarrow Valley Woods at approximately 8am on Sunday.

The children have then been seen to enter and start up a number of diggers with extendable arms which have large metal scoop buckets attached.

Then they have smashed the metal buckets on the diggers into the cabs of the plant hire machinery.

Two of the suspects are described as boys, of slim build, with one around five feet one inch in height and the second male approximately 4ft 9in height, the suspects are believed to be aged 11 to 14 years. At the time of the incident both suspects were wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and dark coloured hooded tops with a small white emblem on the front.

PC Amanda Armson of Chorley Police said: “This mindless, reckless damage to property belonging to the business will have a huge impact, not only on the business that owns the machines, but other businesses who they supply in the area.

“I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch.”

Harry Ruttle, of Ruttle Plant Hire, said: “The equipment will have to be set out while they are repaired. There are some very costly items there and I would urge anyone who knows anything to contact the police.”

Call Lancashire Police on 101 quoting SC1803635 if you know more.