REPEATED acts of vandalism are forcing the managers of a community hall to spend thousands of pounds to give the popular venue much-needed CCTV cameras.

Joy riders ramming the building and vandals shattering windows using ball-bearing guns are just two of the destructive acts inflicted on Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall this year.

Now the committee running the hall has been given the green light from district planners to install four high-tech CCTV cameras on poles outside the building, complete with infra-red ability to capture people's faces and number plates however dark it is.

The £10,000 cameras are among a number of security measures being implemented at the hall, which also includes an upgraded intruder alarm.

"We've had all kinds of antisocial behaviour and vandalism to deal with," said Derek Miller, a committee member for the hall.

"There's no set pattern to it and the incidents come in spasms. This year we've had windows smashed by BB guns in July, and in April youngsters drove a car through one of our windows.

"The problem is that we are situated is where young people like to congregate, although I don't think it is just Sturminster Marshall youngsters doing the damage."

Funding for the new cameras has come from the hall's fund, but Mr Miller says it is worth it to offset the thousands spent in recent years to repair previous vandalism.

The hall receives its income from paid bookings but also has charitable status.

"We are very lucky to have this fund," said Mr Miller.

"No, the cameras don't come cheap, but we are hoping that the new measures will drive these young troublemakers someplace else. Sorry for that sentiment, but so be it.

"We have the best village hall in Dorset and want to keep it that way."

"The cameras will be installed soon," he added.