VILLAGERS are pointing the finger at boy racers after a popular dog-walking spot on Minchinhampton Common was churned up into a giant mudpit.

The ruined area near the New Lodge Inn, where children can often be seen playing football and cricket, was discovered on Thursday morning.

Ray Hayward, from Box, said the same thing happened a year ago.

"There are tyre marks everywhere and you can see they've been racing because of the arched shape of the tyre marks - they were obviously doing handbrake turns," he said.

"They know they can get away with it because nobody is going to approach them.

"They have destroyed an area the size of two football pitches and nobody can walk on it - it is unusable and will be until next April.

"Why do people want to damage such a lovely recreational area where people picnic and fly kites?"

The National Trust says this type of deliberate destruction happens regularly.

A spokesman said: "Drivers are using it as a racetrack.

"During the winter, the common takes a lot longer to recover after damage and the Trust would appeal to people to use the designated nearby parking areas and keep vehicles off the common.

"We would also appeal to anyone who witnesses wilful damage to report it to the police."

Cllr Charlie Morriss, a member of the common's committee, said trenches have been dug in the past to stop vehicles getting onto the grass. There have also been calls to install posts.

"The problem is that these things cost money and you need permission from Natural England," said Cllr Morriss.

"We also want to keep the area looking as natural as possible."