A NORTH Yorkshire sports club is facing closure, after thieves stole its £5,000 grass mower by driving it through the side of a hut.

Ryedale Sports Club is now unable to use its large sports fields without the grass cutter.

Local football clubs, unable to use their normal countryside pitches due to the foot and mouth crisis, will also be affected.

money to buy the lawnmower was lent by a local business, and there is still almost £1,000 outstanding for the machine, which was taken on Thursday evening from the club's Thornton Road premises in Pickering.

Thieves broke chains cemented into the ground to gain access to the machine, before driving through the side of the hut leaving a gaping hole. The machine was not insured.

Fund-raising activities had been organised by the club's 100 members to pay for the machine.

"We are absolutely shattered by what has happened," said committee member Judith O'Donnell.

"This callous theft is horrendous. The people who have done this don't realise how they are affecting such a large number of people. We may not be able to go on because of this.

"They have no idea how many car boot sales and raffles went on to get the money together for this."

Even the police, who are investigating the theft, use the sports fields for football fixtures.

Mrs O'Donnell, a member of the club for over 30 years, is appealing to the thieves to bring back the machine, although she has little hope that it is still in the area.

"I'm sure it is elsewhere by now," she said. "A £5,000 machine sold for £1,000. It is a terrible waste."

She added that a reward of £500 was being offered by Moorland Trout Farm, in Pickering, for the safe return of the machine and a conviction. Mrs O'Donnell is also appealing for donations to try and get together a fund to keep the club going by buying a new machine. Anyone who can help should contact her on 01751 473101.

Updated: 12:07 Monday, April 23, 2001