PARISH councillors have vowed to clamp down on teenage vandals who are wrecking a village recreation area.

Wolsingham Parish Council said that the repeated vandalism was out of control and were introducing new measures to rid the village of the trouble which is being caused by a small minority.

In the village magazine, parish council chairman John Anderson talks of wanton destruction which has left new picnic tables damaged beyond repair, swing frames broken, signs torn down and pulled out and toilet windows broken.

An electricity box on the outside of the community hall has been broken open and smashed several times, and the car park ticket machine has been damaged several times in an attempt to steal money.

Councillor Anderson said: "I know that the majority of young folk in Wolsingham are caring and responsible people, but I also know that there is a minority who are not, and at the end of the day it is up to these young people and their parents to show some responsibility.

"The parish council will not tolerate this state of affairs and are therefore putting into effect several measures to stamp out this wasteful and irresponsible behaviour.''

The council intends to padlock the park gate each night to keep out joyriders, install a strong metal box over the hall's electricity box and a metal shroud over the parking metre.

Security lights will be installed at the recreation park along with closed-circuit cameras and any footage will be used to help secure anti-social behaviour orders against the offending youths.

Coun Anderson said there were plans to create two open- fronted shelters for young people to meet.

The initiative has the support of the local police and is being helped with funding from Three Rivers Housing Association.

If planning permission is granted, the shelters could be in use by spring.

Coun Anderson said: "One big worry is trying to sustain an optimistic overview of the project in the light of the continual vandalism."