MOTORISTS and horse riders are being blamed for putting a children's football club in jeopardy.

Radcliffe Juniors Football Club is blaming damage to their pitch on car drivers, motorbikers, quadbikers and horseriders and is urging people to report them.

The pitch is situated at the rear of the former Farmers Arms nightclub off Warth Fold Road in Radcliffe.

General manager Mr George Ramsay said: "The club's four youngest teams play there and the damage is disrupting their games and threatening their future.

"To add to this problem there is also someone fly-tipping various building and gardening refuse in the car park. This has been going on for some time and a tipper truck has been seen dumping building rubble in broad daylight."

Mr Ramsay is urging anyone who has information about the tipping or the motorists to contact the police or phone him on 725 9401.

He said: "The club had a similar problem a couple of years ago when the pitch was severely damaged and put out of action by some individuals.

"This has cost the club a huge amount of money in having to relocate some of its teams elsewhere."