SPY cameras are to be installed on children's play areas after a wave of vandalism attacks.

The damage is so bad that town hall bosses might have to rethink their £1.5 million refurbishment of 50 play areas across the borough.

Since April, the council has had to spend £60,000 on replacement equipment alone, plus staff costs.

The police and the council's security patrols will be targeting the worst hit areas and CCTV cameras are being introduced to catch offenders in the act.

Four play areas have been hit hardest: at Limefield Brow in Bury, Abden Street in Radcliffe, and the Elms and Thatch Leach Lane sites in Whitefield. The latter, as reported in last week's Bury Times, had its see-saw stolen and roundabout destroyed just 24 hours after the council took it over.

Other areas have suffered "minor" incidents, such as one swing being damaged or a litter bin set ablaze.

Bury is now in the second year of a ten-year plan to upgrade the 50 sites. Bosses say some residents must have seen the attacks, and are appealing to them to come forward with information. Councillor John Byrne, deputy council leader, said: "We have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in ensuring that our children can play in safety. This has been well received by parents, grandparents and of course children right across the borough.

"At the same time, we have been plagued by these acts of vandalism with equipment damaged and destroyed for no apparent reason."

He said CCTV cameras would be set up at the most vulnerable sites, and security officers would have direct radio contact with the police.

"It is pointless laying out these play areas if within weeks or months they are so badly damaged that they become too dangerous for children to use," he said.

"We are determined to stamp out this anti-social behaviour and ensure that our children can continue to play in safety."

Coun Byrne hinted that the council might have to "reconsider" spending so much money on refurbishments if the play areas were not taken care of.

"We even cut down shrubs around one play area so it could be overlooked and people could see their kids playing there," he added. "That's the really disappointing thing. There must be adults witnessing what's going on, and not doing anything about it."

Anyone who sees vandals in the act or has information about those involved should ring 253 6606.