A PLAY area has been vandalised even before it has officially opened.

The enclosed children's area, in Darlington's South Park, has been found littered with lager tins, bottles and condoms.

Play equipment has also been covered in grafitti, and safety coverings on bolts and screws have been removed.

At the weekend, plastic bags were set alight on the soft play area, damaging the material.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, of Park East ward: "It is intolerable that parents with young children have to steer their kids away from used condoms, lager tins and broken glass when they've come to enjoy a bit of family time together to play on new equipment in the park."