A CHARITY has hit out at the vandals who tore down a sign promoting a forthcoming fundraiser.

Staff at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) were dismayed to discover the £60 banner ripped into pieces on the edge of South Park, Darlington, over the weekend of August 9 and 10.

The banner had been erected to promote the Nun Run, a 5k fun run in which participants are encouraged to dress as nuns.

David Gibson, of GNAAS, said: “The sign has only been up a couple of weeks.

"We hoped it would attract hundreds of people to the event to raise money for the air ambulance but now, no one will even know it is going on.

"I just don’t know why someone would do this.”

Darlington police are investigating the incident.

Mr Gibson added: “We’d like people to know that the nun run is still taking place.”

The run takes place in the park on October 5 and entry is £10.

To sign up, visit gnaas.co.uk/shop