VANDALS responsible for wrecking sprees in a Stourport park have been blasted for "creating a poor reflection of society" by the town's mayor. Stourport mayor Michael Grinnall surveys the damage to trees in Lickhill Memorial Park.

Councillor Michael Grinnall said dozens of trees planted in the Lickhill Memorial Park had been covered in graffiti or had branches snapped from them by irresponsible youths. Persistent litter dropping had also become a problem, he added.

He is particularly concerned the Lickhill Road park, which contains play areas, tennis courts and football pitches, may be being targeted again nearly two years after it was vandalised in a series of incidents.

Back in July 1999 the park was targeted by vandals who used wirecutters to tear safety fencing to shreds.

Mr Grinnall, who is chairman of Stourport Town Council's parks committee, and who also held the same position in 1999, said vandals were still putting people's health at risk because they could not be bothered to walk around the fence to collect footballs.

They have cut holes through the fences in order to avoid walking around the gate to collect balls which had been kicked into the road.

He said: "There are many, many people, in particular youngsters, who gather in the park, sometimes to talk, or sometimes to play sport.

"The vast majority of the time they are there for a good socialising reason which is great as that is the park's purpose."

He added: "However, it's a tremendous shame there is idiotic behaviour going on as well which reflects poorly on other Stourport folk in society who use the park in its proper role, as a memorial feature.

"I cannot believe nearby residents do not see any of this damage and it's important the public plays a policing role as the police cannot be there 24 hours a day."