A FLINTSHIRE cricket club has been left "devastated" after an off-road bike caused significant damage to its ground. 

The incident occurred at Connah's Quay Cricket Club on Tuesday evening and left the club's groundsman "absolutely gutted". 

Club chairman, Nick Pratt, said: "We have them on CCTV coming down the bank from the navy club and then on to the outfield. They've left a trail of destruction, about 70-80 metres of deep tyre marks as the ground is wet. 

"We're absolutely devastated, especially our groundsman, Dave Jones. Dave is an absolute legend at the club and has been doing the ground for 50 years. He's made our ground one of the best in Wales to play cricket on.

"They've only been on there five minutes but in that time they've damaged Dave's life's work. He is absolutely gutted. The other day he said he was unsure if it is repairable. Thankfully it is, but it's going to be a massive job."

(Image: Connah's Quay CC) He added: "We pride ourselves on being a community club. We had a charity five a side tournament which raised £5,000 for a cancer charity close to the heart of a good friend of ours. We've started up a book club to help support members of the community. For a couple of them to do this to us is very, very disappointing."

Nick said he would like the police to crackdown on the issue of off-road bikes in the Connah's Quay. 

"People have been hurt by them," he said. "And now they're doing things like this. Don't me wrong, I once had an off-road bike and they're so fun to ride, but not around the community putting people's lives at risk. They're showing no consideration for other people.

"Maybe the solution is finding a designated area for them to go. It's definitely something to look at."