THIS is the scene of devastation at Worcester racecourse today after yet another senseless attack by vandals.

It is the latest in a series of firebug attacks at the track that have wiped out profits from last weekend's racing, which had record crowds.

The fire, on Friday morning, caused thousands of pounds of damage to three hospitality suites, an outside bar, television cables and stewards' telephone lines. And it has put Wednesday's meeting at the racecourse at risk. It will be cancelled if the lines cannot be repaired in time.

The fire brigade is investigating. Police are not yet involved, but say they would make inquiries if asked.

David Roberts, who manages the racecourse for Arena Leisure, said he did not

continued on page 2

believe the fire was an accident, and that vandalism was a major problem.

"We have tried to counter the vandalism by installing metal shutters on just about every building," he said.

"We now have plans to put CCTV in the grandstand but Worcester Racecourse can't afford a £200,000 system around the whole ground."

It is the third suspicious fire this season. Two portable toilets were set alight after racing on Friday, May 13, and lighted barbecues have set fire to bins.

Both happened when security was on the site.

"It's very frustrating because we have at least one fire a year," Mr Roberts said.

"Our profits from an excellent weekend have gone. Despite the weather we had a record crowd, but we won't have another this season because the damage will limit our revenue."

The blow comes just four months after plans for an £11m upgrade were shelved because of flooding at the track, which was rated the worst in the UK by a national newspaper in 2003.

Racecourse director Derek Prodger agreed vandalism was an on-going problem but said it was being addressed.

"We have been involved in talks with the police," he said. "We have security but it's such an exposed area that if people want to get into a building they will."

The course usually has full-time security only on race and event days, though it remained on site over the weekend.

A police spokesman said: "The racecourse is covered by our normal operational patrolling and if we became aware of a pattern of vandalism or other incidents we would give it special patrolling attention."