Members of Training Ship St Edmund are having to spend money raised through packing bags at Waitrose supermarket on repairing broken tiles and cleaning off graffiti at their hall, behind County Upper School.

First officer James Smith said: "We have to do a lot of repairs due to vandalism and the cash has to come from our fund-raising.

"The boys get a little despondent because they put in so much effort to raise the cash in the first place."

Youngsters throwing bricks at the hall, smashing guttering, climbing on the roof and breaking tiles have forced leaders to repair damage twice in the past three months.

It was hoped the group's bag packing and their band's performances at parades and events would help to fund a weekend trip to High Lodge, in Thetford Forest.

But the cash will have to be spent fixing the dated hall, which also needs new electrics and a replacement for the asbestos roof.

Danny Davis, officer in charge, said the 18 members, aged between 10 and 17, were becoming disheartened by the constant attacks on their centre.

"I am so proud of the boys," he said. "We are there to help youngsters and when they see other kids destroying the hall they do let their heads go down.

"It is very hard to motivate them to fund-raise if the money is just going to be spent repairing damage, but they don't give up."

New guttering installed at the hall three months ago has had to be mended twice after it was ripped down by the vandals.

"I am angry and annoyed for the cadets," Mr Davis said.

"You see them maturing into responsible young adults and you see others who are just the opposite."

For more information about Bury Sea Cadet group, visit their website at www.tsstedmund.btik.com