A SMALL number of people attempted to spoil the fun for everyone else at this year's Davenham carnival with two acts of vandalism.

At around midnight on Friday, the evening before the carnival took place, vandals slashed one of the marquees on Butcher's Style while one of the carnival committee members was inside.

The vandals tore a 3ft hole in the marquee, which was on hire from the 1st Lostock Gralam Scout Group, before running off.

In a separate incident on Sunday, vandals set fire to a skip full of rubbish on Butcher's Style.

Carnival committee members had worked hard to clear up the site after Saturday's extravaganza and filled the skip with rubbish only to see vandals set it alight.

Karon Grzonkowski, carnival committee member, said: "I think it is important that people are aware of this because it really has disappointed us all.

"What really annoys us is that the money needed to repair the damage will come out of our profits from the carnival."

With this year's carnival described as the most successful the village has seen the vandalism had been difficult for the organisers to take.

Parish councillors were pleased with community spirit on show during the carnival but are keen to address the issue of anti-social behaviour.

Davenham parish councillor Mike Silcock said: "Once again it is the minority trying to spoil it all for the majority.

"It was a brilliant day and the children of the village were a credit to us all. A lot of the anti-social behaviour does seem to centre on Butcher's Style and a lot of it is alcohol related."

The police were informed about the incidents and are investigating.

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk