CHARITY workers have blasted mindless vandals who trashed a sensory garden for disabled children.

The rampage at the Kaleidoscope Centre in Dunstall Street, Scunthorpe, was the third time this year the garden had been targeted.

Humberside Police confirmed they were investigating the incident as part of an ongoing investigation into anti-social behaviour in the area.

Case worker Eileen Smales discovered the wreckage when she came to work on Friday morning and is still struggling to come to terms with the destruction.

She said: "I could almost understand it if they'd stolen something, but to just come in and wreck the garden for the sake of it is completely senseless.

"It's left me quite upset to be honest, it's just mindless vandalism and it's not on, it makes you wonder what things are coming to.

"A lot of time and effort has gone into making that garden nice, and the kids who come here absolutely love it. It's not really about the damage, it's about the upset it causes to everyone involved at the centre."

Damage caused by the thugs included a water feature being ripped out of the ground, home-made wind chimes being ripped down and smashed and large plant pots being thrown across the yard.

Project manager Pat Chennells said she hadn't seen anything like it in her ten years at the centre.

She said: "The worrying thing is this is the third time it's happened and each time they've caused more and more damage.

"I've been here more than ten years and we've never been targeted before.

"We want it to stop now and hope if people are aware this is happening then we can either find out who's doing this or stop it from happening again."

The Kaleidoscope Centre is run by Action For Children and provides assistance and support for families with disabled children.

The centre's sensory garden was designed by Scunthorpe Telegraph columnist John Cavill as an area for children to play while visiting the centre.

Humberside Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: "Humberside Police have been made aware of ongoing problems around the Dunstall Street area including an incident at the Kaleidoscope Centre. We are working with the victims in order to try to prevent these issues happening again in the area.

"We would encourage anyone with any information to contact Humberside Police."

Anyone with information should call the force on 0845 6060222 quoting log number 340 of June 4, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.