COUNCIL chiefs have admitted that strategies to rid a park of vandals have been unsuccessful after three attacks inside a week.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council officials have pledged to find a solution with the police and rid Corporation Park of yobs once and for all.

Previous strategies have included patrols and CCTV systems but each seems to have failed to halt vandalism in the Blackburn park.

The council will also meet with residents and the Corporation Park Supporters' Group to obtain their opinions, following the events during the past week.

Panels of glass from the park's Grade Two listed Victorian conservatory were smashed in two night time attacks, prompting demands from residents to provide better protection for the area.

But on Tuesday night, only one day after calls to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph requesting official action, five benches alongside the East Park Road side were destroyed after being set alight .

CCTV footage is currently being trawled for any evidence, although the council admitted that not all the park was covered by the cameras,

Tom Wilson, head of outdoor amenities for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are aware of this recent incident which occurred late at night or during the early hours in Corporation Park.

"The CCTV covers the conservatory but not other areas. The council is working very closely with the police to decide how best to deal with this issue.

"Together we are devising a strategy that will be implemented at the earliest opportunity to deal with these mindless acts of vandalism."

The attacks come months after a provisional £2 million in lottery cash was earmarked to return Corporation Park to its former glory.

It is hoped the revamp will help shed the park's image as being a haunt for vandals and criminals and turn it into an asset of which the borough can be proud.

The money will be spent on improving the park's Italian gardens, the Garden of Remembrance, gateway, fountains, pavilions, drainage, paths, conservatory and boundary walls.