A VILLAGE'S residents and beat bobby are appealing for help to track down a motorist who wrecked their green.

People in Tudhoe Village, near Spennymoor, woke last Friday to discover their pretty green had been ruined by someone driving a vehicle across the grass.

Deep tyre marks have ripped up strips of turf and parts will need re-seeding.

Gwen Curnow, chairman of Tudhoe Village Residents' Association, said: "The village green is a focal point. We're very proud of it and appreciate the work the council gardeners do to keep it attractive. This damage is disgraceful - it was needless and thoughtless."

Beat officer PC Jamie Rielly said: "Looking at the tracks, it is clear that the driver purposely left the road and did a couple of circles on the main green then drove on the smaller green. It must have been high speed to cause so much damage.

"I'd appeal to the driver's better nature for them to come forward and talk to me about it or anyone who saw it happen to get in touch."

Contact PC Rielly on (01388) 814411 ext 2770.