A PARK blighted by problems with anti-social behaviour and youths starting fires has again been hit.

Longsight Park, in Harwood, has seen a number of fires started there over the past 12 months.

On Wednesday night, firefighters were called again after youths started a fire near the recreation ground, killing two trees.

Jane Wilcock, secretary of the Friends of Longsight Park, said the children gather near the recreation ground and on Wednesday there was also an area of twigs and burnt paper found in the park site in another attempt to start a fire.

Pictures show the trees blackened and badly burnt as a result of the fire.

Dr Wilcock said last year the park lost 30 beech trees due to "unexplained circumstances" but some had evidence of deliberate damage.

A number of trees were also hacked down and fires were started next to trees.

Four recycled benches have been put into replace the previous dilapidated ones and one of them had to be removed because of arson and another was badly damaged.

Despite the ongoing problems, Dr Wilcock said there is plenty to be positive about in the park.

She said: "Four years ago there was only brown and green and the friends have worked to provide flower beds and daffodils in areas to encourage people to visit.

"Despite the vandalism the park is better than ever in the last 15 years but we wanted a sculpture trail and feel it would be vandalised. Instead we are creating two small cultures and will see what happens."

The friends of is repairing the flowerbed walls at the end of April and needs £3500.

To help fund the project email friendsoflongsightpark@hotmail.co.uk