A PART-time farmer from Eldene is selling his equipment and livestock after vandals seriously damaged a tractor by driving it in a dangerous way.

Andrew Matthews, 39, an electrical appliance engineer, shares the land located near the A419 in Wanborough with his brother, Phillip, 47.

Mr Matthews said he was aware that youths crossed the dual carriageway to play in the field, but that the damage caused during the Bank Holiday weekend was now forcing him to sell the equipment.

Around £3,000 worth of damage was caused to a tractor and assorted farm equipment when youths went on the land over the weekend. They also distressed the horses grazing in the fields by chasing them.

Andrew Matthews said: "This has been a problem for a few years.

"But it came to a head on the weekend while I was away in France.

"The problem is, you can catch these people in the act and they run off, but then they'll come back after you've gone. You can't always be on guard there.

"I would hate to imagine what could have happened if the cattle had got onto the road or if the tractor had gone on its side it could have killed someone."