LEOMINSTER'S Bridge Street Sports Centre has been set back in its recovery bid by an act of 'mindlessness' costing £23,000.

An intruder has slashed the mat in the bowling centre with a knife, ruining three of the rinks at one end and the other three at the other, leaving the centre with a massive bill for a replacement.

"The mat can't be repaired, it needs to be replaced," said centre manager David Paul. "Any attempts at repair may mean that the bowls would not run true."

The attack happened at some point between 8pm on Sunday and 10am on Monday.

"It's just mindlessness," said Mr Paul. "We've got no idea who could have done it."

Mr Paul, who has been brought in by Sport England to establish the viability of the troubled centre admitted that this act of vandalism was a set-back.

"If people want this place to succeed then this is not the way to go about it," he said.

Bowls is one of the best-supported sports at the centre but, with the arrival of summer, most bowlers will be pursuing their hobby on outside greens. Mr Paul, meanwhile, has been working hard to set up activities to attract more people through the centre's doors.

"We have a beer festival here on June 3 and a 'ladies evening' on June 9," he said. "And the county under-12 cricket team have games here on May 26 and June 28.

"I'm also contacting local businesses to encourage them to use the facilities here for corporate events, seminars or exhibitions.

"We're in the process of redecorating the bar area in warm, inviting colours and we'll be bringing in new upholstery and carpets to raise the level."