Mindless yobs punched a hole in a sign promoting a community pantomime performance at the end of January.

Neighbours reported hearing loud noises in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday morning in Beaver Road in South Ashford.

A group of around nine youths were seen gathered outside Prince's convenience store at 11.30pm.

The sign was advertising Jack and the Beanstalk which will be staged by Christ Church Amateur Theatrical Society from Thursday, January 28 to Sunday, January 31.

Panto writer Alan Stamp said: “Someone must have woken up with a sore fist as that must have been one almighty punch.

“Those who have done it have not only entered private property, caused disturbance and criminal damage, but also added to those statistics when people talk about the youth of today in a negative way.

“As a young person myself I find it difficult to comprehend why a group of people of any age would find it entertaining to do such a thing. It is a harmless banner advertising the local pantomime.

“It just makes me angry and disappointed that a group of people would find a form of entertainment in purposefully destroying something that somebody else has put so much time and effort in to.”

He said that local print company Print Junction have offered to reprint the banner free of charge after seeing the news.

He said the show has so far sold out for two of the five performances at the church community hall in Christchurch Road. It is the sixth year the group will be staging a show, following on from the success of Cinderella last year.

To find out more about the event visit www.ashfordpanto.co.uk or call the box office on 07895 123450.