A RALLYING cry has gone out for Rishton residents to unite in a fight to end ‘boredom vandalism’.

The skate park in Harwood Street has been subject to repeated vandalism over recent months.

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Jeff Stinson, who is chairman of Rishton Enriching Community Association (RECA), said it was down to people in the area to look after and provide facilities for young people.

The 50-year-old said: “It’s not malicious vandalism, it’s just boredom vandalism.

“Vandalism is not a new thing, we’ve got to be realistic about this. There’s graffiti and damage to some of the pipes.

“What we need to do is get the community involved to provide something for kids in the area, a play park, a skate park, a youth club, young people need these sort of things.

“But it’s down to people to get out of their seats and do something about it.”

People in the area have complained about the state of the skate park, which has been around for about 20 years.

They are calling for a complete overhaul of the park which has faced a series of damage and has been ‘torn up’ after years of use without repair.

The RECA group is trying to increase activities for young people in the area, and are looking to start a new youth club.

Mr Stinson is hoping the damage to the skate park will encourage more people to support RECA to help provide facilities for children in Rishton.

The father-of three-said: “We cannot keep complaining about kids being a nuisance and then doing nothing about it.“They’re not bad kids in Rishton, they just need something to do.”

Cllr Ken Moss, who represents the Rishton ward for Hyndburn Council, said he was aware of the damage to the skate park and the importance of facilities for young people.

However due to funding issues he said that there was not much the council could do.

He said: “The skate park is next to a few parks for young people in the area.

“There’s been a couple of fires and damage to the swing over the last few months, and some damage to the fence.

“We’d love to spend the money doing up these sort of facilities but after the cuts the funds just aren’t there.”