Neighbours heard the crash and went outside to find the double garage collapsing with the yellow wagon wedged firmly inside and bricks scattered on the ground.

The businessman who owns the land, off Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, near Preston, where the garage and four detached homes are being built, said Sunday night's episode was the latest in a catalogue of incidents of vandalism, including yobs "dancing" on car bonnets.

A gang of around six or seven youths, including one girl, is thought to be responsible for the latest incident.

Car salesman Malcolm Buchanan, who also runs nearby Grosvenor Garage on Chorley Road, said: "I'm sick of being a victim of crime. It's seen as petty crime, but it's not petty when it's happening to you and it's costing thousands.

"You would think it's a lovely area and it is, but we get these invaders who ruin it for everybody."

In April, the Lancashire Evening Post reported how Barrie Crampton, who runs Barrie Crampton Car Sales on the same site, had uploaded CCTV footage of yobs damaging his cars onto his own website in a bid to catch those responsible.

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