A VANDALISED playground is in danger of being lost, warns a Halton councillor.

Yobs have continually destroyed children’s equipment at Sanders Hey in Brookvale since the play area was completely refurbished.

It received a £71,000 facelift from a WREN grant and funding from Halton Council’s area forum and Your Housing Group.

Before that it had been closed for nine years after it was deemed too old and unsafe to be used.

Just one week after it re-opened in April, 2014, graffiti and paint was daubed all over the floor and the witches hat apparatus damaged.

Swings were broken four months later.

In the latest attack, vandals have cut through a swinging basket with a hacksaw and wrecked the spongy safety flooring.

Norton South Halton Cllr Martha Lloyd Jones said: “It is wanton destruction.

“I think it is soul destroying.

“People have put a lot of time, effort and hard work into creating this safe play area.

“It means a lot for small children and families really appreciate it.”

She said Your Housing Group which owns the play area has spent £1,500 repairing the damaged flooring and other equipment.

The £900 swinging basket will be replaced shortly.

Cllr Lloyd Jones said: “The owners have been very supportive but there is a limit in this time of austerity and cuts and repairs cannot continue on this scale.

“We don’t want to lose this facility.”

Chief Inspector Debbie Hooper is arranging for the temporary loan of a mobile CCTV police camera and for police community support officers to increase their patrols.

Cllr Lloyd Jones said: “We are now appealing for a contractor with expertise on security cameras and lighting to volunteer their services and advise us.

“We want to find the culprits responsible for this continuing damage and save this well used play area from further damage.”

Anyone who sees anti-social behaviour at the play area is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101.