Vandals brought major road repairs to a halt when they threw bottles at workers, stole equipment and removed safety barriers.

An hour-long barrage of bottles and verbal abuse by 30 youths almost delayed the completion of resurfacing work on the busy A76 in the centre of Mauchline in East Ayrshire.

The programme also involved the creation of new parking bays.

The incident was revealed today by angry highway officials at Amey after they re-opened Mauchline Cross bringing their £1.6 million repairs programme to an end.

But the works on the A76 through the town was almost delayed for two weeks after hooligans targeted workmen on Friday night.

Amey officials today told how a 15-strong gang of workers had been targeted by local youths who repeatedly shouted abuse and threw wine bottles at them. They also ran on to the site to steal shovels and hard hats before picking up safety barriers and dumping them in excavations.

Initially, workmen had opted to ignore the youths and remain on site to protect their road equipment. But eventually they were forced to flee for their own safety.

However, the incident came to an abrupt halt when it began raining and the youths dispersed

Amey unit manager Colin Mackenzie, said: “The residents and businesses of Mauchline have treated us very well. It’s a shame that one element of the community has attempted to tarnish the good relationship we have built with the people we have met so far.

“However, I cannot stress enough how seriously we take roadworker abuse. No one would expect to receive threatening behaviour within their office or business environment and the guys who are out working on the roads in all weathers deserve the ultimate respect from us and the people around them.”