DISABLED volunteers from an Isle of Wight football club have been shocked after vandals used a lawn mower to smash gates at Salters Field, Ryde, last Saturday.

Members of the joint football clubs, Caulkhead Strollers WFC disabled football team and Ryde Saints FC, had joined forces to rejuvenate the old playing fields at the field and had hired a large lawn mower to cut the ten-acre football field before the league season.

However, in the early hours of Saturday it is thought teenagers had a party and bonfire in the field and started the grass cutter without a key.

They drove it into the chained and padlocked metal gates, causing damage to the gates and mower.

Caulkhead Strollers chairperson, Dave Duffy,said: "This has upset all of our members from both clubs and especially our disabled volunteers who have put a lot of hard work into this project.

"They were really excited about playing on the new football pitches. This has delayed us for a while but it will not stop the great work they and Ryde Saints are doing for our two clubs and the whole community of Ryde."

Ryde Saints chairman, Jamie Humm, added: "It is always sad when community volunteers have their efforts vandalised.

"The irony in this case is that our clubs hope to turn the site into a community asset which we hope will divert from danger and criminality.

"Despite this sad setback, we hope to have the site ready for the new season, but any new sponsors or volunteers who could assist are very welcome to make contact."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.