A CHILDREN’S play park damaged by vandals has been officially reopened.

The Sir Bobby Robson Park, near the former England manager’s childhood home in Langley Park, was relaunched this week following £10,000 worth of repairs.

It was closed last year after damage was caused by vandals.

Isabel Bird, 30, who uses the park with her one-year-old son, Kian James, said: “They have done an amazing job. They have done really well. It is fantastic and it is the only main park around the village so we come down here quite often.”

David and Lillian Abbs, take their two-year-old granddaughter, Sophia, to the park.

Mr Abbs said: “It is handy for us because she can walk up and play on the swings, before she has her dinner. The facilities here are brilliant. It is nicely contained and safe.”

The park cost around £200,000 when it was opened around eight years ago after the scheme won £80,000 in funding following a popular vote on ITV’s People’s Millions TV show.

But the community facility, which has swings and climbing equipment for younger children and a skate park for teenagers, suffered repeated incidents of criminal damage last year.

Durham Police said the force had received a rise in reports of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the village at the time and responded with ‘targeted officer patrols.

The repairs were carried out by Esh Parish Council.

The chairman, Councillor Rita Moralee, said: “It is vitally important for the community.

“It has been closed since November and the kids have had nowhere to play.

“We have had several enquiries but we could not have it open because of the health and safety risk.

“We are over the moon that we have been able to open it. It looks great and I am sure the kids will enjoy it.”

The work has included resurfacing the children’s play areas, fixing equipment, as well as removing bushes and trees.

Esh Parish Councillor Joe Armstrong said: “We have had to wait for the fine weather to get the repairs done.

“We want to make sure our kids here have got somewhere safe to play.”