A FARMER condemned vandals who damaged part of a field he is renting.

Chris Herd, who is also a Worth Valley councillor, said the field at Stones Common, Oxenhope, was invaded by people in an off-road vehicle.

They battered through a wooden gate, then did handbrake turns, churning up the field’s surface.

Cllr Herd said the damage was inflicted during the night of January 9. He explained the field is used for hay baling and grazing.

He said it was fortunate sheep which had previously been there had been moved elsewhere before the destructive trespassing.

“For the last couple of months there have been people joyriding in this area,” he said. “I don’t know if they’re using stolen vehicles, but whatever destroyed the gate must have have been formidable.

“We’re going to put a metal gate in its place, which will cost about £80. We could do without people behaving like this. Someone could get hurt.”

Fellow Worth Valley councillor Russell Brown said: “I’m not aware of this happening too often, but even a single incident can have a significant impact. It was extremely irresponsible behaviour by people who don’t care about the consequences.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the damage to the field and gate was under investigation.