When a Chorleywood Beaver Scout group visited their vegetable patch, to see the fruits of months of hard work, they discovered it had been destroyed in an act of “targeted vandalism”.

The boys arrived at their allotment in Dog Kennel Lane on Friday, the first time since before the school summer holiday.

They had worked hard throughout the spring and summer, growing sweetcorn, potatoes and giant sunflowers from seed.

But when they arrived they were met with a scene of devastation, the cages had been upturned and smashed, the sweet corn had been trampled, and all the sunflowers had been uprooted.

Sarah Wright and Jane Broadis, 1st Chorleywood Beaver Scouts leaders, had prepared the boys for a great surprise, with many of their spring sown crops ready to harvest.

Ms Broadis said: “I think the vandals must have done it on Wednesday or Thursday. I don't know why anyone would do this, I feel so sad for the boys.

“Ours seems to be the only allotment to have been targeted so I can only think someone has something against the Scouting Association.

“The boys have labelled their strips so it's obvious who does the work here. There's no real price you can put on the damage to the boys' plants.

“We're hoping we've rescued some of the sweetcorn and we've taken away the sunflower heads to dry, hoping we'll get some seeds for next year. Repairs to the cages, which my husband made, will be a few pounds.”

The two leaders had visited the patch earlier in the week to clear away weeds, so the vegetables would be easy for the Beavers to see and harvest.

Ms Broadis added: “We have a lovely allotment community and the Parish Council and the other allotment holders are really supportive of the Beavers.

“We visited with the Beavers at least every other week during the spring and summer terms, either to work for the full session, do a “speed weed”, water, or just check how things were growing before doing something else fun on the Common.

“The day we dug up the potatoes was brilliant - it was like finding treasure and the boys were so excited. Sarah and I have been regularly in between sessions to keep things ticking over.

“I guess the only thing good to come from this horrible incident is that our Beaver Scouts will grow up with a greater respect for the property of others, knowing now what it feels like to be the victims of a mindless act of vandalism.”

The group is also having to raise money for repairs to the Scout hut, and is holding a Jumble Sale at the new community centre, The Junction at Christ Church, on Saturday September 24.

If you can donate anything to the Beavers' allotment or Scout hut repairs, telephone Sarah Wright on 01923 282946.