A WILDFLOWER meadow just yards away from Preston town centre is being destroyed by cyclists who are turning it into a BMX track.

According to local councillor Ken Cole the meadow, situated behind the London Road running track, pictured, is being wrecked by thoughtless bikers, who have created mounds of earth for makeshift ramps.

Now Coun Cole is fighting with residents to get the cyclists out of the field in a bid to preserve one of the town's few natural areas.

The field is also a haven for many rare animals.

Coun Cole said: "Residents often walk through this meadow because it is so unusual.

"But recently the wildflowers have been replaced by pits and earth ramps.

"Just as I would never think of digging up Avenham Park, they should not be digging up this meadow.

"This is environmental vandalism."

Coun Cole, of Avenham, has now contacted Preston Borough Council's leisure service's department in the hope they will repair the damage. They have said the matter is being investigated.

During the summer, the field is awash with colour, delighting local residents who enjoy spending time in the field, which backs onto Preston town centre.

Residents say it is like having a part of the countryside on their doorsteps.

But it isn't the first time residents in the Frenchwood area have had their amenities destroyed by local people. Pensioners at the Smith's Recreation Ground are facing a weekly fight against the vandals, who insist on playing football on their green.

Coun Cole added: "It appears that a small group of people can just dig up a local field and spoil it for everyone else.

"Wildflower meadows are now rare, particularly ones so near to a town centre and I will not let people go and destroy it just so they can create a BMX dirt track."

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