TV COMIC Joe Lycett has backed an appeal to replace go-karts wrecked by vandals at a Dudley adventure centre.

Staff at Sycamore Adventure launched an appeal for £3,000 to replace the popular go-karts - many of which were left beyond repair after "mindless" vandals scaled the fence over the weekend.

Donations have raced towards £1,000 in just a couple of days since the appeal was launched and popular comedian Joe Lycett is among those who have dug deep to help.

Impressed by the Dudley Council-owned centre when he visited for Comic Relief last month, the star has made a cash donation to the appeal and is urging others to do the same to help get the facility back on track.

Joe, who has appeared on Live At The Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Royal Variety Show, said: “I visited Sycamore Adventure just last month as part of my involvement in Comic Relief and had the great pleasure of trying out one of the go-karts with the lovely team.

“They are proper sturdy karts so whoever decided to smash them up must have done it with some conviction, without a thought for the children and young people who won't be able to enjoy them any longer."

But he said he is sure Sycamore's "amazing team won't have their high spirits dampened for too long and much fun will continue to be had at their terrific centre".

Play centre manager Keith Rogers said it was "gutting to come in and see the mindless vandalism" but he said the response from the public since the wrecking spree has been "incredible".

He added: "It really does restore your faith in humanity.

“It was great to welcome Joe here last month and we are delighted he has publicly backed us with a donation. We would like to thank him, as well as everyone else who has got behind us.

“Any donation, however small, will be very gratefully received. We want to continue to provide the best facility we can for young people in the borough of all backgrounds.”

West Midlands Police are investigating the break-in at the centre which offers free public play sessions for youngsters of all ages and backgrounds.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the 101 non-emergency number.

Members of the public wishing to donate to the online donation page - set up by Sycamore staff member Nicole Bashford to help replace the go-karts - can go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicole-bashford.