VANDALS have struck at Edgworth Park, fuelling the calls for work to be done on it.

The yobs struck on Tuesday between 6pm and 9pm, damaging equipment including a slide which was being worked on at the time.

Councillor Jean Rigby, who is campaigning for a major refurbishment scheme to be done on the park, blamed the vandalism on youths from nearby areas of Bolton.

"It is extremely disappointing. I was told by the clerk of the parish council whose office overlooks the playground.

"We have suffered in recent times from people coming over from Bromley Cross intent on causing havoc in the park.

"Youths from that area have been seen vandalising the equipment and smoking and taking drugs around the playground. "This is most dangerous as young children regularly use the park for a number of activities.

"Every offence is reported to the police but they are very stretched over here as there are only three policemen covering the whole of North Turton and Tockholes."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We have agreed a programme of work for this playground and there are various jobs that we are doing.

"The area has received a good deal of attention over the years, although the problems at this particular playground are not as great as those experienced at some other play areas in the Borough.

"The playground does need maintenance as well as some new appliances and we will look at these issues if resources allow."