Bowlers say they are having to fork out thousands of pounds to repair damage to their clubhouse since a BMX track and skate park were built nearby.

A CCTV system and floodlighting have already been installed at Adur Indoor Bowling Club, Southwick Recreation Ground, in a bid to deter vandals.

But now members, who paid for the security, say about £60,000 of damage has been caused by youngsters who hurl bricks at the building, climb on the roof and daub graffiti on the walls.

They believe the trouble started when the skate and bike park facilities were built a couple of years ago.

Tony Sharman, chairman of the club's board of directors, said: "The kids are aged between eight and 16 but some of them can be very intimidating.

"One of the directors went to talk to them and got a mouthful of abuse from a group of about seven of them.

"I have told the council that I hold it responsible for the damage because it provided them with the ammunition.

The BMX track is made up of piles of bricks and rubble.

"The cladding on the west and south sides of the building now needs replacing, some of the drainpipes are wrecked and air intake vents have holes in them.

"We will need to get stronger cladding which will cost more, but there's no point doing anything until this problem goes away."

Two damaged fire doors were replaced 18 months ago at a cost of £2,500. One needs replacing again and the other is dented and covered in graffiti.

Mr Sharman, 63, of Hangleton Valley Drive, Hove, said: "Most of our members are retired and not in a position to do much. If you try to talk to the kids you just get a mouthful of abuse."

Mr Sharman, a former police officer, has been a member of the club for seven years and chairman for two.

His wife Janet, 60, is captain of the ladies' team.

He said: "This has been going on ever since I became chairman and now I'm wondering whether I should have taken it on.

"Some of the members say we just have to live with this but when we start spending money on repairs instead of on improvements to the club then they might change their minds."

Sergeant Ian Cooke said: "The club has a legitimate complaint and we go down there as much as possible.

"But, especially now that it's the holidays, we would rather the kids were playing on the park than in the streets."

Barry Newman, corporate director of leisure and direct services at Adur District Council, said: "This is a public recreation ground for everybody. It's checked on a weekly basis for loose materials.

"We certainly wouldn't leave bricks lying around.

"We have every sympathy for the bowling club and certainly don't condone this sort of behaviour, which appears to be criminal."