A BELEAGUERED sports centre has been targeted by vandals again.

The Quaker Sports Centre, near Darlington Football Club's old Feethams ground, was closed by the club last month because it was no longer financially viable.

The sports centre, which was popular with five-a-side football teams, had been repeatedly broken into and damaged by vandals. On Sunday, at about 6pm, the police were called to the sports centre again, after reports of another break-in.

Police disturbed the intruders and arrested one man at the scene.

The 33-year-old, from Darlington, was cautioned by police.

It is thought the football club, which now has the Williamson Motors Stadium in Neasham Road, had been paying up to £70,000 a year to maintain the centre.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the club said after discussions with the council, the club had agreed to look after security at the site.

It has now set up regular patrols of the old ground and sports centre and has secured some loose roofing - which had been rattling in the wind and disturbing people who live nearby.

A spokesman for the club said: "We welcome the police's quick actions to catch the person responsible for Sunday's break-in.

"This is not the first time the place has been subject to burglary or vandalism, but we hope that, through the security measures, police work and the vigilance of the public, we can stop the problem."