A football pitch marking machine was stolen from a portable building that is used by a children’s football club.

Burglars also stole a large blue bouncy castle and some sweets when they broke into the unit at Newhall Primary School in Bierley that is used by Dudley Hill Rangers.

Police said the building is used by eight teams from the club, and that the players are aged between four and ten years.

A police spokesman said: “The club has been running for 24 years. There is so much hard work put into running the teams which keep a lot of the youngsters from hanging around on the streets. By playing football they develop many skills like leadership, teamworking and dedication.

“This crime has had a knock-on effect to each and every one of those players.

“The building is out of action and the pitch cannot be re-marked due to the machine being stolen.”

The burglary happened overnight between November 21 and 22. Anyone with any information on the incident, or who knows where the stolen property is, can contact police on 101 or via email at ganpt3@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.