A VANDAL went on a the rampage, smashing windows across Nelson town centre with a hammer, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates heard Richard Edge, 39, who was depressed and drunk, caused £7,000 in damage during his wrecking spree.

Edge, of Vernon Street, Nelson, admitted six counts of damage at the post office and Jack Foulton Foods, Place de Creil, and Barclays and Yorkshire Banks, Halifax PLC and Slick, on Manchester Road, all on March 16.

He was given a 12 month supervision order and must pay £240 compensation.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, told the hearing an alarm was activated at the Arndale Centre.

At 2.10am, a security guard saw a man walking through Nelson town centre with a hammer in his hand.

Police were called and CCTV monitored Edge. He was found in a phone box on Broadway and had blood on both of his hands and his face.

The hammer was next to him on a shelf.

Mrs Lorimer said the defendant was arrested and his response was: "I did smash the windows. I wanted to smash all of Nelson up.

"I caused the damage because I want to go to prison."

He made admissions in interview, but because of the amount of alcohol he had drunk, couldn't remember everything.

John Rusius, for Edge, said he had no previous convictions for damage.

He had a history of depression due to bullying and dyslexia and had tried to cope with that in various ways, including drink.