DEFIANT members of Swindon Croquet Club say they will not be beaten by the vandals who wrecked their base.

The club's lawns and scoring shed were among the casualties when thieves took a 12ft digger and dumper truck on a trail of destruction through Moredon Recreation Ground.

Members of the croquet club visited the ground on Friday morning to find their lawns torn up and their scoring shed turned to matchwood. But it did not deter them from pursuing their favourite pastime.

Coach John Airey said: "The day after discovering our ground had been vandalised, we travelled to Devon to play in the final of the Federation League for the South West region.

"We beat our rivals Michinhampton 5-4 and now we're officially the best team in the South West so we're definitely not going to let vandals get the better of us."

Despite his optimism, Mr Airey admits that 2002 has been the worst year for vandalism at the club.

"We've already spent six hours repairing our shelter after vandals struck and people have also torn up the lawn by playing football on it," he said.

But he says nothing will keep the team down for long.

"We will keep on coming back and, thanks to Swindon Services who have made some prompt temporary repairs, we'll be practising as normal again this week."

Geoff Lewis, assistant chief officer of Swindon Services, placed the costs of the vandalism at around £5,000.

He and his staff are now working hard to repair the damage, but Geoff says his department will be forced to replace the established trees with smaller saplings.

Swindon police are continuing the hunt for the vandals, who are thought to have stolen the digger from a building site in Thamesdown View, Abbey Meads, late on Thursday night.

After destroying the croquet lawn, trees and football pitches, the thieves crashed the vehicle into a council lock-up container, stealing strimmers, hedge cutters and leaf blowers stored there.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious between there and Moredon Recreation Ground is asked to contact PC Neil Parsons of Swindon police on 528111.