VANDALS went on a wrecking spree at a new children’s play area in Horwich.

Yobs burnt and then tore up the rubber safety surfacing at the playground in Old Station Park, Horwich, over the weekend.

Angry residents reported the vandalism to their local councillor after seeing bits of blackened rubber strewn all over the park and across Chorley New Road.

The area, for eight to 13-year-olds, was completed earlier this year and includes ramps which can be used by skaters and mountain bikers.

There is also a swing frame, see-saw and a digital clock which also appears to have been targeted by the vandals.

Last year Bolton Council received £1.1 million from the Department of Children, Schools and Families to spend on creating 25 new play parks across the borough.

Horwich councillor Steve Rock said: “It’s an absolute mess.

“It’s awful and such a shame that after all the money that was spent on it a group of mindless vandals have to go and damage it.”

The park was built after Horwich councillors campaigned to improve facilities for young people.

Bolton Council did outreach work with children and young people in the area so they could have an input into the park’s improvements.

Speaking in October last year, Jon Gorton, an officer with Bolton Council, told Horwich Town Council: “By being involved in the design of the park it will give them [young people] a sense of ownership and hopefully this will prevent vandalism.

“It will be an experiment and if things do not work out it can be altered.”

Cllr Rock said the area would now have to be resurfaced before it could be used again.

He estimated that the safety surface costs around £200 per square foot.

“It just makes me feel really sad.

“These facilities are put here for all teenagers and children and then just a few have to come along and spoil it,” he said.

“I just feel very depressed about it really.”

Cllr Rock urged anybody who knew who the vandals were to report them to the police so they could be brought to justice before they ruined anything else.

Police are now investigating. Anyone with any information about the vandal attack is asked to call police on 0161 870 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.