VANDALS are risking being electrocuted according to members of the rugby club they have targeted.

Thugs have ripped down heavy goal posts and scaled towering floodlights before smashing them at West Bank Bears, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the process.

But the club has warned that an accident is waiting to happen.

"They are a danger to themselves," said John Wardropper, the club's press officer.

"It's only a matter of time before someone gets electrocuted on the floodlights or they pull the posts down on themselves.

"We've had to chase kids away before but this time they've caused £2,500 worth of damage and it's the last straw."

The Macdermot Road club have been plagued by vandalism all year and John says the cost of making vital repairs means young players spend more time fundraising than training.

"There are almost 200 children at the club who want to train every Wednesday but last week we had to turn them away because the floodlights were destroyed and it was too dark.

"We held a rugby tournament in the summer and had to play 30-plus games without posts because vandals had pulled them down.

"Everyone managed but it was very frustrating."

The club is determined to keep its 12 teams going and is calling on the local community to help, not hinder, their progress.

John said: "It's hard when it's cold and wet and the kids bother to turn up only to get 10 minutes before it gets too dark.

"It's dispiriting because this club is there for the local community. They are obviously bored after school so why not try and join us instead?"