A VICTORIAN park could soon become a no go area for residents if vandal attacks continue.

That's the stark warning from Friends of Bold Venture Park who are worried that anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the park, off Belgrave Road, Darwen, are becoming a regular occurrence.

Teenagers have been spotted uprooting bulbs from flowerbeds in the past month and Friends suspect that gardeners are also stealing specialist plants. Vandals targeted the park's war memorial last week, smashing a stone lion into three pieces.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council now have to fork out around £500 to replace the statue.

Harry Duxbury, chairman of the 50-strong friends group which formed in 2001, said: "Kids go round smashing all sorts of things up and we just have to put up with it. Things get replaced and we just hope that the replacements last a little longer. It's no good getting downhearted but this area will turn into a no go area if we're not careful. We want more people to be aware of the park and visit it on a regular basis so these vandals don't get a look in."

Bulbs and plants donated by charities and local people to the park have also been snatched. Eileen Farnworth, friends member, said: "We've had around £30 worth of bulbs uprooted and we also suspect that there is a gardener or someone who knows something about gardening coming into the park to pick out the special plants such as hostas from the aviary beds.

"Children have been seen leaving the park carrying bunches of daffodils and hyacinths and we really want parents to encourage children to respect the park because we are lucky to have it on our doorstep."

Sgt Anne Scott of Darwen Police Oriented Policing, said: "We would encourage people to contact us if they see anything suspicious going on in the park. We will be looking into stepping up police patrols around the area and looking into CCTV because these thefts cannot go on.

"Bold Venture is a public park for everyone to enjoy and the plants aren't wild but provided by a variety of different people and organisations. It's a great shame for the residents of Darwen that they are not able to enjoy this."

Peter Hunt, director of direct services, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "'The theft of plants from Bold Venture Park is saddening, especially as they were put there by the Friends Group, who take such a keen interest in the Park and are willing to donate their time and effort to developing it, in conjunction with the Council.

"It is a pity that a small minority of people can spoil the good work of others and I would hope that at some point they reflect on this pointless act and regret their actions.

"The Council will continue to work with the Friends of Bold Venture and not be deflected from our goal of improving the Park for everyone."

Anyone with any information on the thefts can contact Darwen Police on 01254 701777 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.