BOLTON vandals are systematically destroying a well-loved pensioners' bowling club. Members of the Thomasson Park Veterans Bowling Club say they've been subjected to a horrific catalogue of abuse in the last three years.

Public toilets have been repeatedly attacked by young vandals - the latest attack coming this weekend, in which a replacement sink was smashed.

And the fed-up elderly members say the thugs have even thrown bricks at them as they played bowls on the green, next to the council's registry office Merehall.

Norman Naylor, who lives in Halliwell, and who's been a member of the club for the last three years, said he's disgusted.

He added: "Towards the end of last season it seemed to calm down a bit but it's all blown up again, worse than ever. I can't tell you what I'd like to do to them." The vandals have also left deep scar marks on the green after riding motorbikes across the carefully tended grass. And at one side they've even marked out a penalty area for games of football.

On Monday council workers arrived at the site to clear up the mess in the ladies and gents public toilets, next to the Vets heavily protected clubhouse.

It's the third time in the last month that the toilets have been broken into. Two hypodermic needles were found in the building following the latest break-in. Now worried members are fearful that their small clubhouse will be targeted. One elderly man - who was too scared of reprisals to be named - said floodlights and security cameras which have been erected have failed to stop the attacks.

He added: "We've been told the images from the cameras aren't good enough to identify anyone. It's pathetic. These people have not got anything between their ears."

Bowling club members plan to meet with a community police officer later this week to discuss the situation.

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