MEMBERS OF a Newport bowls club were left devastated after another break-in at their Rogerstone clubhouse.

The latest incident at the Drill Hall left Rogerstone Bowling Club with an estimated £10,000 worth of damage after thieves stripped the hall of copper wiring.

The vandals broke in to the hall between midnight on September 18 and 9.15am on September 20 and trashed the hall - stripping the walls of copper wire, and wrenching toilets and wash basins off the walls.

The damage to the hall, which is used four times a week by around 40 members for indoor bowling, was discovered at 9.15am on September 20 by chairman Cryil Bainton, 76, and his brother vice chairman Roy Bainton, 83, of Bassaleg.

Mr Bainton said that the 35 metre-long hall will not be fit for use for months to come resulting in the team missing bowls matches.

Mr Bainton said: “We were nearly in tears when we went on Friday morning and saw the damage.

“We have had to stop bowling.

“I just want people to know that these mindless people do these things just for ten quid.

“But I think the receivers of this stolen wire are worse.

“At the moment two are busy making the hall secure because if it is left open children will use it as a playground- lights or no lights.”

The hall has been open since 1939 and was originally used as a drill hall, but now it is used primarily for bowling.

“We are the only team in the league that can put our mats down, but now we have had to cancel the whole bowls season,” Mr Bainton added

“We have had three break-ins in the last two years and the initial break in was people looking for money.

“So we have had to keep reinforcing the hall.“

A Gwent police spokeswoman said: “A break-in was reported to have taken place between 12am on September 18 and 9.15am on September 20 at Drill Hall, Tregwilym Road, Rogerstone.

“There was a forced entry in to the bowls club and wire was cut out and removed.

“Copper pipes and taps were also removed and stolen.”

Police are investigating, if anyone has information they are asked to call police on 101 quoting log number 96 20/9/13.