VANDALS wrecked a village bus shelter at the weekend, landing council tax payers with an £800 bill.

The shelter, at the bottom of Chapel Row, Ferryhill, was targeted on Saturday night for the second time in three months.

Durham police and Ferryhill Town Council are both appealing for information on the attack.

A council spokesman said: "These mindless vandals have no thought for the taxpayer and need to be stopped. If anyone witnessed the incident, we urge you to come forward."

Earlier this year, vandals mounted a spate of attacks causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to bus shelters and toilets in the Ferryhill area.

This time, the main targets were in Ferryhill Station and Mainsforth, where plants were ripped up at Mainsforth Sports Complex and the safety surface at the Doorstep Green recreation area was destroyed.

To contact police, ring 0845 60 60 365 or to countact Ferryhill council, call (01740) 652157.