'Mindless' yobs have ruined grassroots football pitches in Yate by tearing up the grass pitches on motorcycles.

Staff at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC), home to Yate United Football Club, have contacted the police after twice being the victims of vandalism.

The pitches are maintained by volunteers and like many other sports clubs, have been negatively impacted financially, by the coronavirus pandemic.

The pitches were targeted on Saturday and again last night by people on motorcycles.

YOSC manager Andy Lathall is frustrated with the careless damage.

"It is so disappointing that three people on motorbikes have vandalised a football playing field." He said.

"It is maintained by volunteers and used by local youngsters for football training and games.

"YOSC is a charity with lots of help from volunteers for the day to day running of the facility.

"We are still struggling with the impact of Covid reducing the use of the site, we now have to look at repairing damages caused by these vandals."

Martyn Banks, manager of Yate United under 10's side mirrored the dismay, he said: "This is just completely unacceptable.

"We are all working together to fight Covid.

"At grassroots level, we are trying to do all we can to make football as safe as possible for everybody.

"We don't need to be dealt with this mindlessness and absolutely pointless act of vandalism.

"There is no need whatsoever."

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said:

"Police were called at about 11.40pm on Monday, October 12,  by witnesses reporting motorbikes or scooters being ridden over the pitches at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex in Broad Lane.
"Patrolling officers toured the area and took details of three young men with motorbikes spotted at about midnight.
"Neighbourhood officers have made enquiries but as yet have no witnesses or CCTV footage to positively identify those responsible."
If you have any information which could help, call 101 quoting reference 1120 of 12 October.
The neighbourhood team will be focusing their patrols in the area and monitoring the situation.