RUGBY fans are being blamed for leaving a High Wycombe motorcycle training company around £2,000 out of pocket after damaging their premises yesterday.

A metal gate cordoning off part of the park and ride car park in Cressex was taken away, allowing motorists to park their vehicles on land used by UK Motorcycle Training Ltd.

Company director Mark Hopper said he believed the damage was caused by fans attending the Wasps v London Irish rugby match at Adams Park on Sunday afternoon.

He said cars started arriving from midday, with many leaving at 6pm.

Mr Hopper rents a section of the car park to allow learner drivers to ride motorcycles around under tuition.

He said: “They ripped the gate down, took down the 'No parking' signs and took away the cones. Because of that, we couldn't run our training courses.

“We spent the day turning people away. There was nothing we could do.

“There must have been a group of them who took down the gate and parked there, and everyone else followed suit.

“The first thing we did was call the police, but they said because it was private land there was nothing really they could do.”

Mr Hopper said he thought it would cost £2,000 to cover the cost of repairs, wages and money lost from lessons which failed to take place.

He said he spent several hours clearing away a large amount of rubbish left behind, and cleaning up coke which had been “sprayed” over his firm's office.

“I was quite shocked and annoyed,” said Mr Hopper. “It's a substantial gate. It must have been moved by three or four people but rather than just move it, they damaged it.”