YOUNGSTERS in Moore have been left heartbroken after their Easter bonnet parade was put off until last week because mindless thugs vandalised the community centre.

Expensive leaded windows along one side of the Milner Institute on Runcorn Road were smashed by youths on Sunday April 1 causing £2,500 worth of damage.

When centre workers came to open up the next morning they found glass all over the floor and the regular playgroup sessions had to be temporarily cancelled.

This meant that youngsters had to wait until last Wednesday for their Easter celebrations, which only went ahead because the children were so keen to show off their bonnets.

Bill Hankey, whose daughter Helen runs the playgroup and who has been caretaker of the centre for many years before he retired, said: "The children were told about the Easter celebrations before and wanted to carry on with them.

"The Milner Institute is a listed building and I have maintained the place for years. It is terrible."