VANDALS who caused more than £9,000 worth of damage to a play area in Brierfield have been branded ‘disgusting’.

Play equipment in the Sackville Street play area and MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) has been set alight, rubbish has been dumped in the play area and offensive graffiti daubed on the site.

Council chiefs are now warning that the park could be closed if the vandals continue to target it.

Coun Naeem Ashraf said: “It is absolutely disgusting what people have done to this park. When I found out what had happened and saw the pictures I was appalled. I don’t think the people that do this kind of thing can be human.

“This is a children’s play area. We fought hard to get good equipment here and it is well used by children. It’s disgraceful behaviour.

“If this has to close as a result then there will be an outcry. It just can’t happen. I would urge parents and people who live nearby to report anything suspicious to the police so we can catch these culprits.”

The most recent incident, on November 12, saw a wooden natural play feature set alight and rubbish dumped near swings.

Pendle Council said that the damaged equipment had been temporarily cordoned off before it is removed and tarmaced over, at a cost of around £3,800. But the play equipment may not be replaced as this would cost a further £2,000.

A Pendle Council spokesman said: “There is obviously a growing problem at this site and it is getting to a point where the council do not have the resources to be able to maintain the existing play equipment.

“Two pieces of equipment have already been taken out due to persistent vandalism which could be increased to three if a decision is made not to replace the natural play feature.

“If the problems continue the option of taking the play area out of operation completely may have to be considered, as the council do not have the finance to replace or repair play equipment at the current level experienced.”