PRIVATE security patrols are on the cards to combat vandalism in play parks.

Dozens of incidents of vandalism have been recorded at district parks in the last seven months - up substantially on previous years.

And the repair bill for Wyre Forest District Council has already topped £65,000.

Fed-up councillors are now considering paying for night-time security officers at hotspot areas as one option in their battle against the yobs.

The council already has two parks patrol officers but they have to cover the entire district between them.

"Employing private security guards is an option councillors will seriously consider,"" said Simon Trickett, council marketing manager.

One particular troublespot is Brinton Park in Kidderminster where £6,000 damage was caused by yobs who demolished a wooden fence skirting the paddling pool.

Town mayor Ken Stokes, portfolio holder for community life, said: "What the perpetrators of such acts need to realise is the money that we are forced to spend repairing damage is less money that we are able to spend improving facilities elsewhere. It is extremely disheartening."

As well as working to find ways to deter and catch culprits, the authority is also considering expanding a novel approach used this summer to get bored youngsters involved in positive activities.

Council community workers organised impromptu kickabouts and rounders games with youngsters hanging about in parks - and police figures showed that vandalism and disorder went down more than 16 per cent on those days.

Decisions about ways to discourage vandalism will be made after the results of a major review of play parks are announced later this month.

The review was triggered after council officers proposed closing down the district's neighbourhood and estate play parks and creating four super parks at Brinton Park, Springfield Park, Northwood Lane and Stourport Riverside.