DAMAGE to children's play equipment at Stourport War Memorial Park has been described as a "real shame" by the town's mayor.

The wooden Marco Polo equipment suffered damage to its roof, with panels snapped off, at the weekend and is now closed until repairs can be carried out.

Mayor of Stourport David Little said: "The £7,000 for this play equipment was donated to us by the Friends of Stourport Memorial Park, which has since wound up, so it's a real shame it has fallen victim to mindless vandalism.

"Luckily our park keeper has visited the site and thinks we can repair it in house.

"We have a contingency fund for this sort of thing but it is just annoying when we have been given this money to provide new facilities for local kids.

"We hope the equipment can be repaired by the end of the week."