VANDALS have been condemned for causing about £3,000 worth of damage to the development of a children's play area.

Work to create the play area at Grayfields in Hartlepool began last week.

It is part of a £1.25m revamp of the site, which will also include a mini soccer centre, three tennis courts and a pavilion with changing rooms, toilets and social facilities.

Work to construct the play equipment has not started but contractors have begun to lay the foundations.

On Wednesday night vandals pulled down fencing and pulled up kerb edging. They also stole hand tools.

It is thought the work, which it was hoped would be complete by the end of March, would now be put back at least a week.

A spokesman from Hartlepool Borough Council said: "This is very annoying and frustrating as local people and the council have put a lot of hard work into the project.

"We would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious to contact the police."

Anyone with information can call police on (01642) 326326.