SHOCKED bowlers have started rebuilding their clubhouse after vandals attacked their property and wrecked the £25,000 astro-turf.

Members arriving at the club in Lloyd Park, Winns Terrace, Walthamstow, on Monday discovered a scene of utter devastation.

Tables, chairs and umbrellas had been scattered and broken and a large amount of paint had been poured on to the green.

Dismayed bowlers had to cancel a planned game and club officials are still unsure when the mess will be cleared up.

Club president Bill Cross said: "This has never happened before and it shows that children are out of control.

"There's simply nothing we can do to stop this kind of thing. It's council property and all we do is rent it.

"Paint is still oozing out of the astro-turf.

"I can't tell you when things will be back to normal. All I can say is that we're making every effort to get all the mess cleared up soon."

Police believe that the vandals struck during the early hours of Monday morning.

They broke into a shed near the green by smashing its window with a scaffolding pole and then used the items inside to decimate the clubhouse and green.

Police are investigating the crime and will interview the council security guard who was patrolling the park that night to find out whether he saw or heard anything.

PC Mario Panayiotou said: "This is definitely the work of kids. I don't think they were trying to be vindictive but were probably just messing around.

"That said, however, they've made a hell of a mess and it was lucky that people from the club got there early to clear up the paint, otherwise it could have caused permanent damage."

The council has promised to assist police however it can.

A spokesman said: "This is a terrible abuse of council property and as always in these circumstances we will do our best to ensure that the people responsible are prosecuted."Starting the clear-up operation are (foreground) club president Bill Cross and (behind) treasurer Vince Weaver, secretary Ray Mack and captain Sid Jackson