DRUNKEN yobs are believed to be responsible for starting a fire in Morton Stanley Park, which resulted in £75,000 of damage to building equipment.

The fire brigade was called out to the park in the early hours of Saturday morning to extinguish a mechanical digger worth £75,000 which was well alight, along with some portable toilets.

Residents living near the Headless Cross park had already alerted the police to the gangs of youths gathering there early on Friday evening. They had visited the park twice.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "We often have trouble at the park from drunken youths but this Friday there were far more than usual and they were being yobs.

"We were told the police would send someone when there were officers available but no-one showed up.

"This situation was getting worse and now all this equipment has been set on fire.

"It was only a matter of time before something serious happened.

"The police are simply not taking us seriously."

Meanwhile, ward councillor Carole Gandy said: "The situation at the park has been getting quite bad lately but not as bad as it was on Friday night.

"There are dispersal orders covering certain parts of the area but this then pushes the youngsters elsewhere.

"I believe there needs to be more police cover in the suburbs at the weekend, not just concentrated on the town centre."

Any witnesses can call the police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.