Young vandals in Shipley are putting patients' recovery at risk, a psychiatric nurse has warned.

John Keaveny works at Somerset House in Manor Lane, a mental health resource centre. He says repeated vandalism is harming patients with mental health problems and stopping staff from carrying out therapeutic treatment.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, the greenhouse in the grounds of the clinic was smashed three times and frames damaged.

Mr Keaveny said: "For a number of years we have suffered acts of violence, especially in the warmer summer months. It is having a very bad effect on clients and residents, many of whom are already very vulnerable.

"There is a lot of prejudice about mental health and sometimes when people see the damage it could seem as if the vandalism has been committed by the patients," he said.

Health workers now fear they may not be able to use "green" therapy to help patients.

"In the current situation we just worry that whatever we do will be destroyed," said Mr Keaveny

Somerset House is used by hundreds of people and employs 15 staff.

Mr Keaveny said there had always been trouble with youngsters playing on the green.

"We get them playing football here and in the past have had broken windows. Last week we caught some children playing on the fire escape but now the biggest worry is using the gardens.

"We know that planting and growing would help patients butwhat if it was all vandalised?"

Mr Keaveny said police had suggested ways of securing the open site with CCTV.

A police spokesman said: "We would appeal to people who know anything about the attacks to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Keighley Police (01535) 617059.