MONEY which could have been spent on a children's party has had to be used to repair a vandalised community centre.

In the latest of a line of attacks to plague The Green Centre in Dines Green, vandals climbed on to the roof and broke 10 tiles.

But a councillor is hopeful that this time, newly-installed CCTV will have caught them in the act.

"The money that's now having to be spent on repairs could have been spent on children's parties or a lunch for pensioners," said Coun Margaret Layland.

"The beading around the skylight is also broken. We've had new CCTV cameras installed but we haven't looked at the footage yet."

Coun Layland, who works at DG Pharmacy in Dines Green, said a 10-year-old boy was caught vandalising the roof some time ago, but no charges were brought.

In January, the Evening News revealed a gang aged between 11 and 16 had smashed windows and damaged the children's play area.

"It's like a challenge to go on the roof because the ceiling has been designed at quite a height," said Coun Layland, aged 50.

"If people know anything about the incident they should pass the information on to me at the chemist's and I'll pass it to the police anonymously."

Ann Witcombe, community development worker at The Green Centre, said youngsters had to be kept occupied to prevent acts of vandalism.

"We had a disco for children on Friday and it went really well," she said.

"There were 40 children there. You've got to give them something to do because it stops the boredom."

The latest damage was caused between Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29.