A VILLAGE plagued by vandals - some believed to be as young as 13 - is to become a priority zone for police.

Swinton, near Malton, has been declared a hot-spot following the latest incident in which 87 beer cans and 478 beer bottles, many of them broken, were found close to the bowling club and children's play area.

The bowling green has been damaged for a second time, but has been restored by groundsmen Peter Powell and Matt Fenwick and matches are not expected to be affected.

Mr Fenwick, who is also chairman of the parish council, said: "We are taking whatever action we can to combat this criminal damage."

While the damage has centred on Swinton, the troublemakers are believed to come from areas including Malton, Slingsby, Welburn and Norton.

Mr Fenwick said: "The youths are congregating in the children's play area and we are exploring ways of keeping them out because they have smashed bottles, leaving broken glass which has become a serious potential hazard to youngsters. Much of it is green and blends into the grass, making it difficult to see."

He said vandalism had been going on for the past year, but had become worse in recent weeks.

Other damage has included breaking the clock on the bowling club pavilion and damaging the weathervane. The club wants to repair both but says it has only limited funds.

PC Richard Houghton, of Malton police, said officers were mounting a daily surveillance of Swinton following the latest damage.

"We regard it as a hot-spot and it will be targeted as such," he said.