A GUIDER said she felt physically sick when she saw the damage vandals had caused to a Girl Guide centre in Royston. Carol Hildrop, district team leader of Royston Girl Guides, went to the centre in Garden Walk to discover that vandals had used bricks t

A GUIDER said she felt "physically sick" when she saw the damage vandals had caused to a Girl Guide centre in Royston.

Carol Hildrop, district team leader of Royston Girl Guides, went to the centre in Garden Walk to discover that vandals had used bricks to smash nine large windows.

She said: "This is complete vandalism.

"The windows are made of toughened glass with wire so the offenders made a big effort to smash them. It must have been time consuming.

"When I drove into the centre and saw what had been done I felt physically sick and could have cried.

"We work with 5-18-year-olds and try to keep them off the streets.

"We try and put something back into the community and this is how we get repaid."

The cost of the damage was estimated at about £1,000.

Mrs Hildrop said: "We're a charity so we don't have money growing on trees.

"We will have to make an insurance claim which means our premiums will go through the roof."

The centre has security lights, but Mrs Hildrop would like to see closed-circuit television installed.

Mrs Hildrop said: "If a local business would like to donate a security system we would be appreciative."

The incident has been reported to police and is being investigated.