A POPULAR Stoke Prior play area is temporarily closed after it was trashed by vandals.

Ryefields Road recreation ground was again hit by yobs over the weekend. The vandals set fire to safety matting under play equipment.

The latest damage includes parts of the rubber safety matting being destroyed and dozens of beer bottles smashed at the site.

Concerned parish council chairman Thelma Roll said: "This is the latest incident in a long list of vandalism at the site. It is not fair that young children now have to loose the play area during their half term week because of these vandals."

She added: "We have had enough of keeping tidying up after these people. We need the help of the parish to stop this happening again."

Other acts of vandalism has included youths breaking into, damaging and spraying graffiti in lock-up garages next to the play area.

At a recent Stoke Parish Council meeting, Bromsgrove district councillor John Tidmarsh (Con-Stoke Prior) said he had been horrified and astonished to see recent damage to the recreation area.

Beat manager PC Michelle Caldicott said: "We are aware of the on-going problems at the play area and are working with both the district and county councils to resolve the issues. Stoke Prior is one of our priority areas and we carry out regular patrols."

Anyone with information on the vandal attacks should call Bromsgrove police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

sarahmawhinney@midlands.

newsquest.co.uk