PETERSFIELD Town officials have launched an appeal for help after their new stand was blown away in a New Year storm.

A freak gust of wind at the Love Lane stadium sometime on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day was strong enough to rip the roof from the structure.

The stand was only completed in March last year as part of extensive works carried out on the ground to ensure it met the Football Association’s grading standards required for Southern League football.

A team of volunteers – made up of committee members, players and supporters – managed to dismantle the structure on Saturday to ensure the stadium remains safe for spectators to use.

Work on putting the roof back in place is due to start this week and club officials have appealed for any businesses or individuals who can help them with this or other works required for the Rams’ next ground grading inspection to get in touch.

Manager Ian Saunders said: “To say we are disappointed is an understatement to say the least.

“A lot of effort and time was put into getting the ground up to standard last year and now a lot of that work has been undone by this happening.

“We will start putting the roof back on the stand this week but none of us are experts in this kind of thing, so if there are any companies or individuals who can help us, please get in touch.”

You can e-mail the club at: [email protected] or call 07500 705486.