A VILLAGE has today been forced to cancel its weekly scouting meetings after a double dose of vandalism to its hut.Claydon's scout hut was set alight in broad daylight on Thursday, just weeks after a hole was knocked into its wall.

A VILLAGE has today been forced to cancel its weekly scouting meetings after a double dose of vandalism to its hut.

Claydon's scout hut was set alight in broad daylight on Thursday, just weeks after a hole was knocked into its wall.

The vandalism has caused a massive setback for the 100 Rainbows, Beavers, Scouts, Cubs and Brownies who meet there each week.

Not only is the hut now unusable, but it comes at a time when they are struggling to raise £200,000 for a new meeting place.

Paul Hickman, group scout leader, said: "This is the last thing we need.

"We are looking at £15,000 to repair all the damage and it's at a time when we are trying to save money.

"It's also disappointing because we have had to cancel all the meetings and the children are upset.

"They used flammable liquid so it was obviously pre-meditated which is quite disturbing.

"There's not much you can do to stop these people but we are looking into getting CCTV."

The Thornhill Road building was targeted for the first time this year between 8pm on January 5 and 4.30pm on January 6 when a large hole was knocked into the wall using a tree stump.

The fire was started between 11.40am and 11.55am on Thursday. Neighbours alerted the fire service before the flames spread.

Richard Farley, group treasurer, said: "This sort of thing really doesn't help when we are trying to raise money.

"At least all of the damage is on one wall so we can repair it in one go. But the money could have been much better spent."

Mike Nunn, Suffolk police spokesman, said: "We treat any act of criminal damage seriously in Suffolk.

"We will not tolerate the actions of the mindless minority who have no consideration or thought for the repercussion of their actions."

People with information relating to these offences should call Stowmarket police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

What do you think of these mindless acts of vandalism? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk