A CHILDREN'S play area created just a year ago is under threat after vandals went on a wrecking spree causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Hyndburn Council's parks department has already repaired the India Street play equipment five times since it was put in 15 months ago.

But it has run out of money in its maintenance and repairs budget and has told local councillors and residents that it cannot afford to pay for the repairs needed following the latest attack in which the roundabout was ripped out of the ground.

At a meeting of the Church and Milnshaw Area Council Andrew Hayhurst, from the parks department, asked members to allocate money from their budget for the repairs or face losing the play area.

He said: "This area has been a drain on our resources. We are now in a position where we can't afford the repairs to the play equipment.

"I am here to ask if the area council would agree to allocate some money for the repairs, otherwise the only option would be to remove the remaining equipment to make the site safe."

Mr Hayhurst told the meeting that it would cost between £2,500 and £5,500 for the repairs, depending on what equipment they wanted.

Councillor Jean Battle said: "I can't understand why Hyndburn Council can't repair the equipment for the children in that area, which is one of the most deprived in the borough.

"They should not be asking the area council to replace equipment that was only put in 15 months ago."

But she added the vandals should not be allowed to have the upper hand and that some way should be found to carry out the work.

Coun Ian Ormerod said: "If we agree to pay for this what is to stop other council departments coming to us that there is no money in the budget for? What is the point of people putting in bids to the area councils to pay for things for the community?

"If the Church and Milnshaw Area Council is going to be faced with having to pick up the tab for everything Hyndburn Council does then the council is wasting its time and we are wasting ours."

Inspector Julian Platt, from Accrington police, said that if the money was found to repair the equipment a working group should be set up to find a way of tackling the vandalism.

Area council members agreed to get together with the parks department to discuss the future of the play area.