£10k vandal attack on Hednesford centre The Aquarius before opening

Yobs have smashed windows at The Aquarius in Hednesford which is due to open this weekend.

But operator Mike Allsopp has vowed it will not hold up the opening which has already been delayed by four months over a legal wrangle. However he admitted today a black-tie launch ball may be put back.

Contracts were finally exchanged on Friday between developers St Modwen and new owners, Cannock Chase Council.

Mr Allsopp said louts had targeted the community centre in Victoria Shopping Park, hanging around the empty building and causing damage.

Last week vandals smashed one of the upper windows on the glass-fronted building when a brick was lobbed.

A glass canopy below was also broken as the brick bounced on it before hitting the ground.

Youngsters have been seen at other times throwing missiles which have also shattered two other canopy panes.

On Saturday Mr Allsopp arrived to find another break, fortunately in one window that was already smashed. The bricks have shattered the reinforced outer glass but not penetrated the inner pane. The latest of three attacks was on Friday night.

"Two have been fired with such velocity they've actually made a hole," he said. "The latest one was the worst.

"There's also been bottles and other rubbish dumped outside.

"It makes you wonder whether it's worth bothering," he said.

"If only people would realise that this centre is theirs, it's for the whole community to use." The 53-year-old, a former detective with West Midlands Police, said he hoped vandalism would not be a problem once the building was open.

He is installing CCTV cameras around the premises and there will also be security on site around the clock.

He said: "It's almost inevitable this has happened given the length of time it has taken to sort out complications over the lease.

"The building has been completed since October and we thought we would be in by mid-February.

"It's been stop-start all the while and now the vandalism has started."

He is aiming to open the centre on Saturday although a black-tie launch ball may be postponed until Saturday, June 22. The building includes two function rooms with stages and bars, a large kitchen, changing rooms and toilets.

The Aquarius is almost booked out with functions to the end of the year. More than 14 community groups have also taken up regular weekly slots.

The centre is part of the £50 million revamp of Hednesford town.