THIEVES have hit the district's most popular youth spot, leaving managers with a huge financial headache.

The award-winning Skaterham centre, which attracts about 500 youngsters aged 5 to 25 each week, was rocked after criminals scaled the roof of the former chapel building and stripped about 20 metres of lead.

The incident in the early hours of Saturday is a blow to those at the centre off Coulsdon Road.

Replacing the lead will cost around £8,000 – at a time when Skaterham is already desperately scrambling to raise funds.

Its "temporary" toilet block, which is six years old, is decaying.

A £30,000 fundraising quest to urgently replace them is only one-quarter of the way to its target.

Skaterham's co-ordinator Marilyn Payne, who was made an MBE last year for her work with young skaters, said: "This is a real setback.

"Unfortunately, we are not insured for this theft, and I don't know how we are going to raise the money to replace the lead.

"The roof survived Sunday night's heavy rain, but it will present problems in the long term.

"Funding is tight enough as it is, and it feels like we are back to square one."

About £500 of lead was left near the scene, possibly because the thieves were disturbed by someone.

Simon Edge, of Alexander Crescent, Caterham, co-organised a fundraising fun day at Kenley Airfield last month which raised £2,500 for the toilet block – with a further £5,000 pledged by Caterham Round Table.

He said: "It feels like taking one step forward and two steps back.

"Its dispiriting, but I'm confident the Caterham community will rally round and help us.

"I hope we can see the fundraising through to its fruition."

A concert featuring Peter Donegan – son of 60s pop star Lonnie Donegan – will be held at Skaterham on September 24.

Mr Edge's wife Maria is planning to do a sponsored glider flight for the cause, and funding will be sought from the National Lottery and other sources.

Youngsters at Skaterham practice their skills on ramps, ride BMX bikes, enjoy DJ mixing sessions, and also sports events and camping weekends.

Skaterham has won three High Sheriff of Surrey Awards and was nominated for a National Crime Award in 2005 for its work with local youths.

CATERHAM School, in Harestone Valley Road, had another record-breaking year for GCSE results in 2010, with 99 per cent of all examinees getting grades A* to C.

And 91 per cent of grades at the independent school were A* to B, the third consecutive year more than 90 per cent has been achieved in this category, with 70 per cent of all grades A* to A.

Headmaster Julian Thomas said: "It has been another outstanding year for examination results. I am delighted with these GCSE results, which are a testimony to the hard work and commitment of the students and teachers.

"Last year's results were exceptional, so I am particularly pleased to see that the class of 2010 have been able to match their 2009 counterparts

"Once again we have a number of pupils who have achieved outstanding results, but I am equally happy for those pupils who have not received a raft of A*s, but whose performance represents a significant personal achievement."

He added that he wanted to congratulate all pupils for their hard work and endeavour, which was especially important this year as the top-tier universities are now looking at GCSE results to back up high A-level grades.

A MASS rally involving hundreds of iconic cars will remember the man who put Caterham on the motoring map.

Graham Nearn, 76, was the founder of Caterham Cars and also the inspiration behind the renowned Caterham Seven sports car.

He died last October – 50 years after he first set up his car business.

And on Sunday, September 5 several hundred Caterham Sevens are expected to converge on an airfield near Maldon in Essex for a convention in his memory. Many will meet at the Caterham Cars' showroom in Station Avenue, Caterham, before proceeding in convoy.

Mr Nearn started out running Caterham Sales and Coachworks on a site behind a petrol station off Town End.

In 1993 Caterham Cars received the Queen's Award for Export.

Nowadays the company sells its vehicles in about 15 countries, generating an annual turnover of more than £15 million.