COUNCIL bosses are hoping to throw new light on a vandal problem hitting the Longfield Centre.

They are being forced to reconsider the design of a set of uplighters situated in the car park after repeated acts of vandalism.

The lights, which line the path from the Metrolink station to the entrance to the shopping precinct, were installed two years ago as part of major refurbishment of the car park and Longfield Centre.

Soon after they were installed in 2002, vandals began targeting the lights despite them being designed with toughened glass lenses.

Speaking at Prestwich area board, taxi driver Jack Barrett, said: "I work for Magnum Taxis and I am concerned about the vandalism in the precinct. Another four of the unbreakable uplighters have gone and I have never seen a policeman walking through there."

Area co-ordinator Carran O'Grady said the design team would be looking at the lights to see if they were inappropriate in their present form.

Ian Crook, from Bury Council's engineering department, said: "The glass is two inches thick and the vandals are targeting it with something quite professional. It is quite expensive to keep replacing them so we are keen to put a stop to this."