A MINDLESS act of vandalism has cost an amateur rugby team around £2,500 of damage ahead of a historic first appearance in the Challenge Cup.

Youth players of Hindley ARLFC reported back for training at their St Peters Pavilion pitch on Tuesday night after the festive period break and found 12 advertising boards had been ripped down.

It is believed the vandals struck in the last five days.

The club, who will make their debut in the sport's premier knockout competition, the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup in a first round match away at Castleford side Lock Lane ARLFC on Saturday, January 27, will have to foot the bill.

Club spokesman Mark Stringer: "I am disgusted at how anyone could do this.

"Everyone at the club are volunteers and they put a lot of work in to keep it running smoothly.

"We all do our best to make the club more comfortable for people to watch us play so to come back to that is not fair.

"As well as the financial cost, we have to work hard to clean the pitch up in time for an Under 16s game on Saturday."

If you have any information about the incident, contact the police on 101.