THESE are the mindless yobs believed to have caused thousands of pounds of damage at a leisure centre by hurling a fire extinguisher through a window.

Waves Water Fun Centre in Blackburn had to close for the day on Wednesday while staff using snorkels scooped shards of glass off the bottom of the swimming pool.

Hundreds of school holiday swimmers were turned away while the clean up took place at the Nab Lane site, losing the centre around £1,000 in takings.

Damage to the window, and another cracked pane, was esti-mated at £1,500. In total the attack is thought to have cost Blackburn with Darwen Council, which runs the centre, around £5,000 as staff had been taken on to cover the holiday period and still had to be paid, despite not working.

Police have released CCTV foot-age of three teenagers believed to be behind the damage.

A police spokesman said: "Three males were seen fooling around with a fire extinguisher outside Waves at the time of the incident and it is likely that it had been stolen from a local pub.

"One of the males was wearing a light coloured long-sleeved shirt and was approximately 6ft. He had short dark hair and a light coloured trousers."

Waves manager Pat Campbell said that the centre was often tar-geted because of its windows, but added: "I'm happy to announce that we reopened as normal on Thursday."

Police are appealing for anyone with information. They are also asking any pubs or other establishments that may have been open at the time to contact them if they have a fire extinguisher missing.

Contact police on 0845 1253545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.