YOUNG James Jefferson was so devastated when vandals wrecked his local playpark that he asked a local housing company to repair the damage.

The eight-year-old wrote to the company because he was aware it was carrying out housing repairs in the area. He asked it to extend its work to the damaged park, near Lingdale Primary School, in Lingdale, near Saltburn.

His letter to Coast and Country Housing stated: "I think you should do something about it, immediately.

"It's because there is smashed-in fences and bins. Then there is a pulled-up floor and there is glass on it.

"So I want all of it reported, because loads of people like to play in that park, like my friend Billy."

Company bosses were so touched by the youngster's plea they donated cash - £2,000 to buy replacement equipment - and muscle-power to clean up after the yobs.

Andrew Woolf, James' teacher, said: "The school and I are really proud of James. We have been doing a project looking at the environment and ways to improve it. James felt so strongly about the area in which he lives that he wanted something to be done about it.

"Coast and Country Housing has done a fantastic job. The park is now somewhere that local children can go and play safely.''

Kenny Taylor, the company's district estates manager, said: "James is fantastic. When we received his letter, asking for something to be done about the park, we went down and found that the park needed a complete overhaul. It was untidy, damaged and in some places, quite dangerous.''

A thrilled James said: "I am really happy with the park now it has been cleaned up.