A VANDAL-struck play centre in Dudley which is still recovering from an attack last month is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from a supermarket giant.

Sycamore Adventure Centre has been chosen to take part in Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ grant scheme and could net up to £4,000 if it gets the most votes from shoppers during May and June.

The centre, which has offered free public play sessions for youngsters of all ages and backgrounds since 2010, launched an appeal for £3,000 after vandals scaled the fence.

They then went on a wrecking spree, leaving most of the centre’s popular go-karts – some of which were funded by Comic Relief – beyond repair.

So far more than £1,000 has been raised, including an undisclosed donation from comedian Joe Lycett, who visited the Sycamore Green site earlier this year on behalf of the Red Nose Day charity.

Voting is already open at Tesco and Tesco Express stores in Dudley, Sedgley and Gornal, and customers can cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

In July, the supermarket will announce who has bagged the most tokens and the project with the highest number will receive up to £4,000, the second placed up to £2,000 and the third up to £1,000.

Keith Rogers, play centre manager, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Tesco to take part in this scheme.

“Obviously if we can come out on top in the vote it will more than cover what we need to replace the go-karts, as well as giving us a bit more on top to further invest in improving our play facilities.

“The response from the public already since it happened has been amazing, and we hope that will continue with people casting their tokens for us.

“We want to continue to provide the best facility we can for young people in the borough of all backgrounds.”

A fundraising page which has been set up by staff member Nicole Bashford is appealing for donations to help replace the go-karts. Donate to the page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicole-bashford.

West Midlands Police are still investigating the incident and are urging anyone with information to call officers on the non-emergency 101 number.