A BURNT van has been found behind a Southampton leisure centre.

The Mercedes van has been left in the field behind Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, Weston Lane, Weston, and has been burnt out.

Police say the van was stolen from Oxford Mews, Southampton, on Thursday, February 7, before being dumped in the early hours of this morning.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We were called at 1.21am this morning (February 13) to reports of a van on fire in a field behind Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, Weston.

"The vehicle had previously been reported stolen from outside an address in Oxford Mews, Southampton."

Tristan Dando, operational manager for the leisure centre, said: "Its been reported and other people have been made aware of it.

"It wasn't there yesterday, and it's there today.

"I'm guessing it's someone joyriding, and instead of leaving it somewhere, they've burnt it out."

A local resident, Den Mitchell, who was out walking his dog, said: "It's regular here.

"I think they just do it for fun.

"There's bollards one side, but not the other, because people need to get in to cut the grass.

"Some people don't realise how good this space is. They go to Mayfield Park, but not here."

Councillor for the ward, Warwick Payne, said: "If this act was deliberate, which it seems to be, then where it have been left, this is very irresponsible.

"It's not big and it's not clever.

"The cash-strapped council will now have the job of having to clean away what remains of the vehicle.

"It's frustrating that this has happened, and I would hope it will not happen again.

Anyone with information on the incident can contact police on 44190046833