A CHILDREN'S playground has been closed after vandals caused around £3,200 worth of damage.

Torfaen council has closed the children’s playground at Sandybrook Park in Cwmbran after swings were been bent out of shape, the climbing frame, zip wire and basket swing damaged, and areas of protective flooring torn up, making the park unsafe for children to use.

The council has closed the park until the damaged equipment can be repaired or replaced. It is the second time the playground has been targeted by vandals in recent months.

Councillor Fiona Cross, executive member for the environment, said: “This is a mindless act of vandalism that will put the park out of use for a good chunk of the summer. It is going to cost us more than £3000 to repair the damage done and sadly experience tells us that it will not be long before something similar happens again.

“Whoever did this has no regard for their community and if anyone has any information about who may be responsible then I would urge them to contact the police.”

Ronald Burnett, chair of the Friends of Sandybrook Park, said: “This is heart breaking. The play area has only been open for a year and was supposed to be a safe place for local children to play. Whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves.”