Part of a £4,000 fence to protect neighbouring homes was stolen from Chatteris Club over the weekend.

Members said they were left in shock and frustration as they found out that part of the perimeter net had been stolen.

The club runs four junior teams and three adult teams in the summer and has more than 70 members at the club.

Club chairman Wes Palmer said: “With the financial restraints that community clubs have this is a massive blow to not only the club but the community also.

“I am very frustrated that people would do something like this to a small community club.

“Each year we manage to make enough money to keep things going, and a lot of people give up their free time to help keep this club going.”

Mr Palmer said it took several months and substantial amounts of the club’s income to get the net put up, and now it is going to cost us in the region of £300-£500 to replace the stolen netting.

“This amount of money is going to have a severe knock on effect to our budget for other areas of the club,” said Mr Palmer.

The budget includes youth equipment “that each year we have to replace or repair to be able to provide quality equipment for the younger generation of the town.

“We have always prided ourselves on our excellent facilities, like our clubhouse and pitches.

“But all those need to be maintained and having to replace the netting will mean that we will need to find additional revenue to keep our standards high.”

He urged anyone with information to please get in contact with them through their Facebook page or contact Anthony Palmer on 07875641403.