VANDALS HOTWIRED diggers and went on a wrecking spree at a Shropshire beauty spot, ripping up trees and destroying benches.

One digger was left upside down in a brook with the engine still running following the overnight incident at Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley, near Bridgnorth, while another was left abandoned on a country lane.

Park staff believe three diggers were driven around the park during the incident, which has seen large areas of grass chewed up by digger treads.

A row of trees was taken up and a bench was also smashed up during the raid.

It comes just days after a similar incident at the park where a digger at the site was hotwired and driven around, though no damage was caused on that occasion.

The diggers were on site as part of major drainage work being carried out to prevent land slipping at the park, which runs down a hill to the banks of the River Severn.

Angela Linsday, visitor centre warden at the park, said: “Two or three diggers were hotwired and have been driven around the park overnight. One has been left upside down and the engine was running until it ran out of fuel, while another was left abandoned on a country path.

“A lot of grass has been chewed up and the place is looking like a bit of an eyesore.

“A line of trees has been ripped up and some of them were pretty big and a bench has also been destroyed. It is weird because we had a similar incident on Tuesday night where one of the diggers was hotwired but no damage was caused to the park.”

Paul Harris, who has lived in Alveley for about 30 years, said: “It has cut a swathe down the middle of the park and a digger has been left at the bottom upside down.

“Trees have been taken down and it has ruined the area for the local wildlife.”

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said the incident occurred between 6pm yesterday and 8.30am today.

He urged anyone with information to call Bridgnorth police station on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

By Peter Kitchen