RAMPAGING yobs have been blamed after two Carlisle sports clubs were damaged in "wanton" vandalism attacks.

Carlisle Rugby Club, on Warwick Road, and Carlisle City Football Club, on Petteril Bank Road, have been left counting the cost.

Rugby Club secretary, David Morton, said that three male yobs got into the ground on Monday evening.

He added: "I'd describe it as wanton vandalism by three youths that was seen on our cctv system, they damaged some breeze blocks at the entrance gates, realised they were on cctv then threw stones at the cameras."

There was also damage to things like advertising boards and the pitch perimeter fencing which cost about £28,000 to install.

David guessed that the total cost of damage could be up to £3,000.

Vandals also struck at the football ground at about 8pm on Tuesday evening.

Football club Chairman Brian Hall said: "They have knocked out the top part of the boundary wall at the back of the ground.

"It would have definitely taken some force.

"There also appear to have been 12 young men on the pitch, they must have gained access by a wall or a gate."

He said the pitch was being worked on after they had got a £1,500 grant to improve it and that noone should be walking on it because of the risk of damage.

Brian added the club will contact the police over the incident and said he's asked people to leave the ground on several occasions.

A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary, spoke about the incident at the rugby club: "Officers are looking into an incident of criminal damage that occurred sometime between 5.15pm and 6.30pm on June 22. The suspects are believed to be three young males."

Anyone with information ring PC 2859 Messenger on 101, quoting log 44 of June 22.