RECKLESS revellers are being urged to be responsible after significant damage was caused to a £15,000 Moredon cricket facility.

It appears thoughtless foodies have burnt the two artificial wicket surfaces at Moredon Playing Fields after cooking on disposable barbecues on the precious pitches.

For this season, real grass has been replaced with an artificial alternative in a bid to reduce long-term costs for the club.

But after being installed on April 8, club officials were hit for six when they found one of the pitches had been burned – with a second being damaged a few days later.

The field is a valuable resource for Swindon’s Midweek Cricket League, which starts gets underway for a new season this week, and is used by a host of teams in the area.

League secretary John Tuersley said: “We aren’t sure who has done this but it would appear the damage to the wicket areas has come from burning.

“We don’t know whether it is a case of ignorance or intended vandalism but it will cost a significant amount to repair.”

Swindon Borough Council and the English Cricket Board split the cost of installing the new artificial turf.

But council spokesman Richard Freeman said the repair bill for the pitches would now add £900 to the bill.

“The first of the two new artificial surfaces was damaged two weeks ago on the Wednesday evening, which is the same day they were both installed,” he said.

“The other one was damaged exactly a week later.

“It’s extremely disappointing and will cost about £900 to repair.

“This will be done this week in time for the start of the cricket season.

“The artificial surfaces were put in to reduce the council’s long-term maintenance costs and the £15,000 they cost was shared between the council and the English Cricket Board (ECB).

“People don’t seem to realise how hot disposable or tray barbecues can get .

"We’ve had park picnic tables accidentally set alight before now. We have informed the police about what has happened and we ask anyone who wants to use a disposable barbecue not to put it on grass, artificial or otherwise.”

Venues across the town support the midweek competition and John has asked the public to be respectful to the facilities.

“We don’t want to lose these pitches as they are very important to the community," he said.

"If they get damaged, some clubs will not survive,” he said.

“These are valuable sports resources and the cost of repairing them comes out of the public’s pockets through their taxes.”

Other grounds used in the league include pitches in Croft, Royal Wootton Bassett and Wanborough, as well as the County Ground.

Anyone who witnessed the damage should contact Wiltshire Police on 101.

Or they can leave information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.