A COMMUNITY asset is back on its feet – one year after being targeted by mindless vandals.

Thugs caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they broke into Darnhall Village Hall on August 9, 2017.

But 12 months on, the community has rallied round and says it 'won't be beaten' by the attack.

Dance teacher Angela Hancock was the first person to discover the carnage when she arrived at the hall to prepare for her class.

She found the back doors had been smashed in and the offenders had gone from room to room leaving a trail of destruction.

During the rampage, vandals sprayed paint normally used for craft activities on the walls, floors and across a war memorial plaque.

Sue Langley, clerk of Darnhall Parish Council, said: “The building was left in a completely unusable state.

"At the time, I was in a state of total disbelief at why someone would do this to a place that so many people used.

“The hall was forced to close for three months while essential repairs took place.

"Classes, events and parties that people had booked in advance had to be cancelled.

"People were disappointed but they understood there was nothing we could do.”

As part of the repairs, the hall needed new kitchen and toilet facilities.

The village rallied together to show its support and organised fundraising events including a cake sale at Darnhall Community Primary School.

When Year Six pupils heard about the incident during last year's summer holidays they told their teacher they wanted to do something to help.

They set up a cake stall at the start of term and raised £200.

Sue added: “We are a real asset to the community and this was a detrimental blow to us.

"We have slowly seen the bookings come back but the numbers are not what they were before the attack.

“It has been lovely seeing people help the hall get back on its feet so quickly and prove that what these horrible people did will not beat us.”

The letters WYF – which are believed to stand for Wharton Youth Firm – were written in several locations inside the vandalised hall.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident can contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting the incident number 726.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.