VANDALS are believed to have pushed a forklift truck into the River Avon in Evesham.

The plant machinery was bought down to Crown Meadow to load the tent and marquees that were used for the angling competition last weekend onto lorries.

Police were called to the area at 9.40am on Tuesday after a passer-by reported seeing the lights of a forklift truck flashing and a group of children around it.

When police arrived at the riverside they found the vehicle submerged in the Avon.

The owners had left the machinery parked overnight on Crown Meadow.

Police officers are now looking into who was responsible for pushing the it into the water.

Evesham beat manager Paul Adams said: "This incident could have had very serious consequences.

"The thought of youths playing on a forklift truck, driving it into the river, be it accidentally, is quite frightening.

"Someone could have been killed just because of the selfish act of a few.

"If anyone has any information about this, they are urged to come forward and to the parents I would ask - where were your children when this incident took place?"

If anyone has any information they should contact Crimestoppers on 08457 444888.