However, to their obvious disappointment someone had crept down on the moonlit night and slashed the Bouncy Castle and two other blow up rides.

It was being speculated by the fairground people themselves that if it had been local youngsters on a prank then they would have probably made a few knife cuts in it.

However, they said that it looked as if it was done in such a way as to put it beyond repair.

Someone took a knife and made big slashes all the way around the bottom.

Colr Marian McDonald spoke for everyone when she condemned the malicious act: "I'm disgusted at the damage done to the Bouncy Castle. The festival committee have put a lot of time and energy into getting something for every one during the festival. l I just hope the guards can get these people and they are dealt with."

There was great anger amongst the people of Moville that someone would try and spoil the children's fun by slashing their Bouncy castles and slides.

"There are a lot of good people in Moville and it's a great place, but one bad apple nearly rotted the barrel" said one local who didn't want to be named.

At first it seemed that the damage was beyone repair. However, festival organisers Paddy Gillen and Eddie Harkin put in emergency call into local businessman Brian Thompson.

Brian, an expert at plastic plumbing, among other things, came straight off the Foyle Ferry to Bath Green.

He didn't even have time to put on his Superman suit but got to work straight away, starting just after midday.

And by late afternoon he had done it. He had repaired all three of the blow up rides which had been slashed.

From mid afternoon when he had repaired the first one the tinkle of children's laughter could be heard as they enjoyed the first day of the fairground.

Brian had saved the day for the children of Moville and their visitors and had put the smiles back on their faces.

It was put to Brian that he was like a Summer Santa Claus to the children.

"I used to love Santa as a kid, and now here you are, I am Santa" he said with a laugh.

Brian added: "I've repaired a few of these before but this one was badly damaged. What saved them was the high quality material they were using for their Bouncy Castle and slide."

Numbers up

In fact, apart from this disappointing incident, the festival organisers said that this year's festival, regatta and raft race were all a big success.

"Despite the vandalism and the terrible weather, we had a great turnout all weekend. Numbers were certainly up a good bit from last year, and everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves tremendously," a spokesperson said yesterday.

Moville Summer Festival, Regatta and Raft Race were a huge success this year.