A YOUTH football club based in the Three Towns have slammed the "senseless" damaged caused to their home ground.

The pitches owned by TASS Thistle, at Ardeer Rec in Stevenston, were damaged by vandals at the end of last week.

Images showing the damage were shared on social media, with the grass pitches torn up by what looks to be off-road bike tire marks.

The community football club, which has charity status, has a number of youth football teams under their umbrella.

Having first set up in the Three Towns 40 years ago, the club took over Ardeer Rec following a community asset transfer from North Ayrshire Council in 2023.

Since then, 'The Rec' has been the home venue of a vast majority of club matches and training sessions. 

Little over a year on from the takeover, the club say this could have major impacts on their operations.

A spokesperson said: "So sad to see the devastation on our home pitches at Ardeer Rec left in such a state.

"We are a charity on a very tight budget, paid for by the kids, aged from four upwards, who attend their football teams for training and matches.

"This is pretty senseless, ruining the hard work of the volunteers that goes in to keeping these parks playable for all the children."