VOLUNTEERS who run a network of women's clubs have been angered by vandals who targeted their headquarters.

The chairwoman of Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes was devastated when graffiti was daubed across the group's county office, in Spennymoor.

Dorothy Proud says the federation's 2,100 members, at 88 clubs across the county, will be shocked by the thoughtless act.

She said: "We are all volunteers who run WI's and put a lot of time into it, so it is really upsetting.

"We try to keep the area tidy and respectable, it makes me angry when someone comes along and tries to spoils it."

The group moved into the former careers office, in Barnfield Road, Spennymoor, almost three years ago after selling its Durham City house, which became impractical to run.

It is used for administration and hosts board meetings, activities and demonstrations.

Sedgefield Borough Council's Street Scene department has offered to clean the graffiti from the building free of charge, and police are investigating.