A COMMUNITY football pitch in Oswaldtwistle has been vandalised by ‘ joy-riding idiots’ in cars.

Foxhill Bank pitches in Harvey Street were damaged by a yobs doing ‘doughnuts’ on Saturday night.

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Police said the car, which is thought to have been stolen, was later found burnt out at the side of the field.

Firefighters were called to put out the flames, being treated as arson, shortly before 11.30pm.

Local resident Mick Shacks discovered the damage while walking his dog on Sunday morning.

The 47-year-old taxi driver said: “At first I thought it was kids on quad bikes, then we came across the burnt out car in the woods at the edge of the field.

“I was just annoyed. I was angry to see the damage that had been done.

“The fields are always being used for children playing rugby or football, and there’s not much outdoors for kids to do these days.”

Mr Shacks is also a Scout leader at the 1st Oswaldtwistle Scout group which is based nearby at Mill Hill.

The Scout group regularly use the field, which backs on to the Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve, for games and activities.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, has criticised the actions of those who committed the crime.

He said: “There are some really mindless idiots around ruining the fun for everyone.

“They are just spoiling it for everyone. It is completely thoughtless and I hope that whoever was responsible is caught.”

Two fire engines from Hyndburn attended the fire at the car and crews used a jet to extinguish the fire.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “The car was a Ford Fiesta, it was completely burnt out. The fire service noticed it was an intentional arson attempt and it was a long way off the road. There were no injuries reported.”

Police were informed about the incident the following morning and are investigating the incident.

A spokesman for the service said: “It seems like it was unknown offenders joy riding the vehicle before abandoning it. It was completely burnt out when it was left. Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made. “