VANDALS wrecked a big day for Scouts and Guides with a paint spraying rampage at their new hut.

Louts daubed graffiti all over the white paintwork outside St James Scout and Guide Hut, Earl Street, Blackburn, just hours before the official opening.

Angry Scout and church leaders discovered the mess a short time before a ceremony to mark the reopening of the refurbished meeting place.

But the event went ahead despite the attack. St James committee member Stuart Hurst said: "This was a big day for us and someone deliberately set out to ruin it.

"We had a rehearsal the night before and everything had gone fine.

"They used all different colours and also put some obscene language on the walls.

"The scouts and guides were disgusted at the vandalism. The hut will have to be painted again but I wouldn't be surprised if these people strike again.

"We had around 100 people at the event and it was a real shame these vandals had to sink so low to try and spoil it."

The hut had been closed for ten months as a £5,000 refurbishment took place.

But there was some good news, with money being raised from a summer fair at nearby St James Church going towards the Scout and Guide Association.

A rose queen was also crowned on the day, Louise Emmett, 15, a Guide leader.

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