Menace motorists have struck again at a popular park, churning up grass with reckless driving stunts.

Motorists have torn up a section of land at Rickerby Park in Carlisle, leaving tyre tracks in their wake as they pull handbrake turns and perform skids.

Stretches of the park, one of the most popular in the city, running alongside the river Eden, has been left in a churned up mess after yob drivers struck.

This latest act of vandalism, thought to have happened last weekend, has sparked anger with the community group that looks after the park.

In the past, concerns have been raised about vandals causing damage in the park.

In 2015, yobs defaced a stone circle.

They also ripped down trellises to start a fire and spray painted obscene and racist graffiti on a wall and doors.

There have also been other problems with vandals churning up the grass.

Anne Williams, chairwoman of the Friends of Rickerby Park, said: “It is very disappointing to see this happening again.

“The tyre tracks are on the bank on the left as you head into the park from Brampton Road.

“This has happened at night and it has left a mess.

“I would imagine it happened within minutes – but it will take months to sort.”

Mrs Williams said there was nothing that the Friends group could really do.

“We just have to let nature take its course and hope that the grass grows back,” she said.

Mrs Williams said the police attended their last meeting when the issue of vandalism was addressed.

She said: “What we really need is witnesses.

“We need people who saw anything to get in touch with us or the police.

“The Police Community Support Officer who came to our last meeting said that it would be good if people could get registration numbers as that helps in tracking down the culprits.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Anyone with information should contact officers on 101.”

The Friends group says it works hard to keep the park nice.

Mrs Williams said: “We hate to see the park in a mess.

“We regularly hold tidy up events to keep the area looking nice.”

The next tidy up day takes place on Saturday, March 11, at 10am. It is being run in conjunction with a Stanwix Big Tidy event.

“The focus will be on litter picking,” said Mrs Williams.

The group will meet at Stanwix Community Centre and then head into the park.

Equipment, such as gloves, will be provided.

Refreshments will be served afterwards.