VANDALS have damaged a miniature train used to raise money for charity.

The attack is the second time that kind-hearted Donald Allison has fallen victim to criminals targeting his train and its two carriages, which carry children on a small track.

Five years ago it was stolen from his home in Thornleigh Road, Crosland Moor.

Police recovered it a month later.

Last Saturday it was attacked by vandals outside his home.

They damaged the woodwork on both carriages and ripped the seat on one of them.

They also took the other seat off the second carriage.

Mr Allison, a 75-year- old retired engineer, said: "One of the seats is torn and the other has been smashed off.

"The woodwork has also been damaged on both carriages.

"I just wonder why these people are picking on me.

"All I do is run the train at summer shows, fetes and other events.

"All the money raised goes to charity."

Now, Mr Allison is wondering if it is worth repairing the damage.

He said: "The number of bookings has fallen off in recent years.

"I'm not going to repair it just for the vandals to come back and wreck it again."

Mr Allison built the engine, called Hasslich - which means ugly in German - 20 years ago.

He first used to take it around Germany, where he worked as an engineer, to raise charity cash.