CALLOUS yobs have burned down a country park bird hide to the ground and attacked a second which had just received a big cash donation to extend it.

Now bird watching enthusiasts are looking at increased security precautions at the Leigh beauty spot.

The fire thugs struck in the early hours and the alarm was raised by a passing police officer who spotted the flames.

But fire fighters from nearby Leigh Fire Station were unable to save the 20 foot by eight foot 'Horrocks Hide' at Pennington Flash Country Park.

Ranger Mary Bent said: "We are completely sickened by the sheer stupidity and callousness of whoever did this. They also vandalised the front of 'Bunting Hide' and broke a lock.

"It is really sickening for us after putting in so much work. Our resources are stretched at the best of times and there is nothing to justify this sort of vandalism."

Leigh Ornithological Society donated over £400 to the Ranger Service to extend the 'Bunting Hide' and Chairman David Shallcross commented: "This is tragic news. Very few words can sum up the mentality of the type of people who do this sort of thing.

"The society and the council have worked closely together over the years to create a free amenity for people to enjoy and then someone does something like this.

"Maybe the only answer is to have full-time people at Pennington to stop this happening and because we have quite a lot of poaching going on there during the year.

"This is dreadful news for everyone using the park and we will be looking at what can be done."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.