VANDALS have targeted a Hampshire charity's new delivery van, which had just been bought to replace one destroyed in an arson attack.

Police are investigating a possible link between the latest incident and the devastating fire which took place last December that destroyed the charity's delivery vehicle and thousands of pounds' worth of Christmas toys.

Members of the Southampton charity SCRATCH say they feel they are "being targeted" by thugs after the £20,000 Ford truck had its fuel lines cut in the latest attack.

The Millbrook-based charity, which helps under-privileged families in Southampton with gifts of furniture and other essential goods, took delivery of the brand new truck just eight days ago.

It was bought to replace the 7.5-tonne vehicle, which had been full of toys for needy youngsters when it was torched.

Bosses and workers at SCRATCH (Southampton City and Region Action To Combat Hardship) were supposed to be celebrating this week after they were awarded a £67,000 grant by the city council's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet.

Now they say that some of the cash will have to be used to pay for CCTV cameras and security staff to prevent similar attacks happening in the future.

Charity chief executive Chris Davis told the Daily Echo: "We are convinced we are being targeted.

"We had a lorry burnt out at Christmas and have also had a number of our volunteers bikes stolen.

"No other vehicles around here were attacked."

Mr Davis added that it would take around three days and cost between £300 and £400 to repair the brand new vehicle's fuel lines.

"This was the vehicle which we had bought to replace the other one, and now this one has been vandalised.

"It is really sad. The chances are that we have helped these people or their families in the past.

"We are finding it very difficult to work out why they are doing it. It is increasingly frustrating."

Last year, the Daily Echo launched an appeal to save Christmas for needy children in Southampton after SCRATCH's first vehicle was destroyed.

Big-hearted Daily Echo readers rallied round and donated thousands of pounds' worth of toys to replace the ruined baby toys, dolls, teddy bears, books and board games destined to go under the Christmas trees of local families.

A Hampshire police spokes-man confirmed that they would be investigating a possible link between the two incidents.

He said: "This was a nasty incident that should not happen to anyone - let alone a charity.

"We are investigating and we will also be looking if there was any connection between it and the previous incident."

Anyone with information about the attack, which took place between 5pm on Monday and 8.25am on Tuesday at Brooklands Courtyard, First Avenue, Millbrook, should call Shirley Police on 0845 045 4545.