A DUDLEY football club has launched an appeal for help after their minibus set to be used by town youngsters was vandalised.

Dudley United Girls and Ladies Club used the bus to drive players to and from training and matches and it also doubled up as a bus for the wider community.

The club, based at the Handrahan Stadium, Mile Flat, hoped to use the bus as a "tool to tackle anti-social behaviour" as it would have been used to take kids on trips and days out.

Lights were damaged, windows smashed and the engine was tampered with back in June but the bus has not moved since.

Parents have stepped in to take players by car to away grounds as far as Derby- a 90-mile round trip.

Now, after the bus was vandalised, the club are looking for mechanics or garages to give up their services and help put the club back on the road. In exchange club chiefs have offered to advertise those who help out on the bus. They would also like to hear from town businesses who would like to sponsor the bus.

Marion Bennett, club secretary, said: "It's a shame.

"We're really, really stuck without the bus.

"It would be lovely to get it back on the road. Some parents have had to take their kids on 90-mile round trips already this season.

"The bus isn't doing anything at the moment.

"It's a good thing to give back to the community.

"It was hoped that by providing a minibus, we as a club and as a community are ignoring the needs of our youngsters, we are inviting boredom, anti-social behaviour and vandalism into our community."

To help out with the appeal, or to join one of the club's teams, if aged eight and over for kids or for one of their adult sides, call Marion Bennett on 01384 377582 or Peter Curran on 07989584054.