A PLAY area in Darwen has been closed after vandals pulled up parts of the floor.

The Twin Valley Homes-owned park in Ellerbeck Road, behind the Ellenshaw Estate, has been locked up after the damage made it unsafe for children.

It comes two weeks after the Lancashire Telegraph reported a number of the borough’s play areas had been vandalised.

Ian Bell, head of Twin Valley Homes, said: “Sadly, we have been forced to close the play area as the safe surface has been vandalised. We would urge parents to keep their children out for their own safety.

“We are looking into the cost of replacing the surface but no timescale has been set.”

The play area borders the Elizabeth House elderly sheltered accommodation site, which has been earmarked for demolition.

Sudell councillor and Darwen Town Council mayor Eileen Entwistle said: “It has been there a long time so it is sad really. It is the same right across the borough with parks getting damaged.

“I don’t know what is wrong with some people these days. But if it is dangerous I can understand it being closed because if somebody hurt themselves Twin Valley would become liable.”

One resident said children had still been using the park. He said: “Parents have been lifting their children over the fence then climbing over themselves to supervise.

“There doesn’t seem to be that much damage and the majority of equipment seems okay."