VANDALS have caused hundreds of pounds of damage to part of a Barnard Castle play park.
The wooden adventure castle at Scar Top has been significantly damaged with parts of the decked flooring burnt through and walls scorched.
The fire is believed to have been started by a group of youths seen at the play area on Monday, November 22).
It is not the first-time vandals have damaged the play area, which is maintained by the town council.
Two years ago, equipment was daubed with obscene graffiti and a swing rope snapped. Before that, part of the safety surface was torn out.
Town council clerk Martin Clerk said he was disgusted at the latest damage.
He added: “I’m absolutely disappointed at the unbelievable behaviour of some older children going in and ruining equipment for younger children.”
“There were a lot of youngsters congregating on the Scar Top on Monday evening, making a lot of noise kicking bins over.
“The whole thing could need replacement and it is not a cheap piece of equipment.”
Cllr Jan Thompson said: “When does this stop?
“We have had the heads knocked off statues at The Bowes Museum, bins kicked over regularly and now this.”
The equipment was marked with hazard tape and the matter reported to the police.
