VANDALS have smashed dozens of windows and left a trail of destruction at a flagship Blackburn park.

The wrecking spree at the conservatory in Corporation Park has left Blackburn with Darwen Council with a repair bill of around £4,000.

A ward councillor said she was "disgusted" that the park, which has recently benefited from a £3million revamp, had been targeted again.

A total 33 windows were broken and bricks are believed to have been thrown through all the broken panes of glass.

The conservatory has been closed while repair work is carried out and is expected to reopen by the end of the week.

Police say the vandals may have bee caught on CCTV on Friday night or in the early hours of Saturday and footage from the cameras at the conservatory is currently being examined.

An appeal for information has been made by the leader of the council Colin Rigby.

Coun Rigby said: "Windows have been smashed at the conservatory before but never on this scale.

"These vandals clearly spent a lot of time doing as much damage as possible.

"It was deliberate and pointless.

"Not only has it damaged a very much loved piece of local heritage, the repairs will cost the tax payer thousands of pounds.

"The culprits need to be caught. I would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious on Friday night to contact the police."

Arshid Mahomood, Corporation Park ward councillor, said: "I am absolutely disgusted to hear about this. I don't know why people commit such cruel acts which results in the park being spoilt for everyone. We have a beautiful park which has just had millions spent on it. I really hope the people responsible feel ashamed of themselves and are caught and punished appropriately."

A police spokesman said: "We are currently investigating the incident and we have seized CCTV which is yet to be viewed by officers. We are appealing for anybody who was in the area at the time to get in contact with information."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.