Vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Weymouth Rugby Club’s headquarters last month.

The culprits forced entry through a window in one of the changing rooms, broke into the loft and rampaged through the ceiling void, damaging the hot water system and rendering the showers inoperative. Then they kicked down plasterboard ceilings in an attempt to gain access to the bar area.

One vandal was apprehended by police after the security alarm had triggered and was taken into custody for questioning.

A club spokesman, press officer Idris Martin said, “I have been involved with Weymouth Rugby Club man and boy since I was a 15 year old school boy in 1965 and I hope the powers that be throw the book at them. The lads turned up for training and then had to witness the sight of their club trashed.

“In recent years we have worked very hard to keep the club afloat and I can only describe it as wanton vandalism, we are an equal opportunities club who will welcome anybody and I just can’t believe that this has happened.”