A GANG of drunken teenagers who played dust-cart dodgems caused up to £350,000 worth of damage in a waste recycling compound.

Blackburn magistrates heard that £80,000 lorries were shunted round the Smurfit site after about 20 youths breached a steel perimeter fence in the early hours.

As well as extensive damage to numerous vehicles in the Philips Road compound, the court was also told that a building was so badly damaged when a tractor unit was rammed into it that it may have to be demolished.

One vehicle was then used to smash out of the compound and was later found completely destroyed by fire.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, aggravated by damage. He also pleaded guilty to offences of being drunk and disorderly, theft, attempted theft and going equipped for theft, all committed previously.

He was made subject to a two-year community rehabilitation order and made to do 80 hours of community punishment. He must also pay £200 compensation to Smurfit and spend 10 hours working at their premises doing 'reparation' under the guidance of the Youth Offending Team.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said a number of articulated lorry trailer units, worth in the region of £80,000 each, were parked on the site, which is surrounded by a six-foot fence.

He said on the night of February 13 the defendant and pals, who had all been drinking, made a hole in the fence before entering and starting vehicle engines.

He said the defendant had admitted he drove one of them in forward and reverse gears and that it had smashed into other vehicles, as well as a wall.

"They ran off when disturbed by someone starting work at 4am but not before they had caused extensive damage," said Mr Hartley.

"The company has estimated that damage at a minimum of £250,000 but it could be as much as £350,000."

Mr Hartley said another juvenile and an adult had also been arrested as a result of the incident and the adult is due to appear in court later this month.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said the main evidence against his client was his own admissions.

Mr Taylor said that while the company was insistent drivers had taken the keys home with them, his client was equally insistent the keys had been left in the vehicles.

"He has been totally frank with the police about everything else and I see no reason to disbelieve him," said Mr Taylor.

"He also accepts he has been extremely foolish."