VANDALS have set fire to playing equipment at a children’s park in Bromley Cross.

A plastic roundabout, shaped like a tyre, was melted in the attack, in Little Brow Park and damage was also caused to the park’s flooring.

The incident is believed to have taken place on Monday evening.

Councillor David Greenhalgh said he is “disgusted”.

He added: “It is mindless thuggery and I’m hoping somebody must have seen or know something, and will come forward with information.

“Then the culprits should be made to work in the community that they’ve sought to damage.”

Cllr Greenhalgh said that the council and police have been working together and the area, at the back of Clay Street, has been designated to receive extra lighting, under a council initiative, due to previous reports of damage.

He added: “We will be working with the Greenspace department to get the area cleared up and hopefully replace any damaged equipment and flooring as soon as we can.”

A 44-year-old resident of Queens Avenue, said he noticed the damage when he went to take his daughter to the park.

The father-of-five, who did not want to be named, said: “My daughter was really looking forward to going on the park and was really upset when she saw the damage.”

Councillor Alan Wilkinson said what had happened was an act of “mindless vandalism”.

He said: “It is ridiculous.

“I can imagine that some of these people who have done this are people who used to play on the park when they were youngsters and now they are depriving other young children.

“It is complete mindless vandalism and annoying when we are trying hard to provide things for young people and spending money on youth services and then idiots do this.”

Temporary fencing has been placed around the piece of equipment.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We will be carrying out repairs as soon as practically possible.”