VANDALS have caused extensive damage to play areas weeks after a major investment in the facilities.

Cornforth Memorial Park has recently spent £100,000 of grant and council funding improving play areas for local young people and families in West Cornforth, County Durham.

But already vandals have started fires on the safety surfacing, scratched paint on the fencing and damaged safety edging on a round sit-in swing seat.

Some time between Wednesday and Thursday, a new swing seat was set on fire and broken in two.

Council chairman Pauline Crathorne said: “These acts of vandalism are heart-breaking, especially after the parish council has invested so much funding and obtained grant funding to upgrade the play area and the vandals have prevented our youngsters from using this upgraded play equipment.

"This is but the latest act of vandalism to council property over recent weeks, which costs residents hundreds of pounds, via their council tax, for the repairs."

Police have been informed and the public is urged to contact Durham police on 101 with information.

 

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