VANDALS trashed an allotment a family used as a peaceful haven for their two young children.

Janet Holmes and partner Barry Studholme, a self-employed builder, took over the ramshackle allotment 14 months ago to create somewhere for their five-year-old twins George and Elliot to play safely.

But their hard work was spoiled when the caravan they used as storage space at Miller Fold, Accrington, was smashed up.

And the vandals also wrecked Janet's brother-in-law George Studholme's plot next door, smashing the door off its hinges, ransacking his shed and stealing equipment including a strimmer.

George, 42, of St James Close, Accrington, is disabled and has only one arm and one leg after a motorcycle accident.

The family, of Willows Lane, keep three goats and four geese on the allotment but they were not hurt in the attack.

Janet, 42, Marley's Wine Bar manager in Blackburn, said: "I can't imagine why someone would want to do this. We've spent the last 14 months making it somewhere nice for the boys to play. It was an absolute tip when we took it over."

Janet said after the allotment had just finished being tidied up and the next project was to go and plant vegetables.

The incident happened between 9pm Monday and 8am yesterday. The two plots which were attacked neighbour the Miller Fold allotment project, officially opened to last month to give residents experience of growing organic food.

Police in Accrington are investigating the incident and ask for anyone who have seen people acting suspiciously around the allotments to contact them on 01254 51212 quoting reference 34EQ/010703.