Paul O'Gorman

Vandalism targeting the tractors used as rescue and support vehicles for Morecambe Bay’s historic cross-bay walks is raising fears about the event’s future. Organiser Jo Hales said one tractor was started and left running until its engine seized, while another incident involved young people interfering with the vehicles. The walks can attract up to 500 participants across dangerous sands, quicksand, tidal channels and rapidly rising tides. The Guide over Sands Trust says the tractors are indispensable, and organisers are concerned that repair costs and repeated attacks could make the nearly 500-year-old charity tradition impossible to continue, despite raising more than £1m for charity this year.