A Cricket club has been left counting the cost after thieves smashed their way into the changing rooms and ripped a TV off the wall.

Raiders hurled a brick through a large double-glazed window before climbing into the main pavilion at Padiham Cricket Club.

The brick hit the newly-refubished shower wall and landed on the floor, smashing several tiles causing £150 damage.

Brian Shirtcliffe, club secretary, said it was 'heartbreaking' as the club in Ahbory Drive had already been targeted during Christmas when thieves stole the gas meter and pipe costing more than £600 to repair.

Mr Shirtcliffe said: “They threw a brick and it smashed a tile on the wall and four tiles on the floor.

“They smashed the double glazed window to get in.

“We provide a facility of cricket for the town. On a beautiful day, there’s no better place to be.

“It’s a lovely little ground.

“People have raised money to keep us going, it costs £40,000 a year to run. We just keep having these setbacks with having to pay out for jobs to get done because of thieves.”

Thieves entered the main room and ripped a 42 inch LG TV from the wall but could not fit it through the window and left it on the floor.

Mr Shirtcliffe said: “We get Sky TV, we pay for a music licence, TV licence, insurance to pay for so we get a bit cash-strapped over the winter but it levels itself out.”

The club installed CCTV four years ago but Brian said vandals smashed it up.

“We can’t afford to replace it as it would be money down the drain,” he said.

“There are so many vandals up there it is unbelievable.

“It’s heartbreaking that they should target a voluntarily run club because myself and people put a lot of effort into keeping this facility in Padiham.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Padiham police on 01282 472330 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 111 4444.