VANDALISM in a children's play area and cemetery have prompted fears of a rise in council tax for people living in Upton-upon-Severn.

Town councillors have been told there is no money in the budget for replacing costly equipment on top of normal maintenance and routine work.

"Everyone needs to be aware that because of continuing vandalism and deliberate damage in the playground and the cemetery, the open spaces committee is going to have to consider increasing the precept," said the Mayor, Councillor Roger Barker.

"The committee has worked hard to replace pieces of equipment at a cost of thousands rather than hundreds of pounds, but this blatant vandalism is going to affect everybody.

"If they have to be replaced again for health and safety reasons, the money has to come from somewhere."

Deputy Mayor, Coun Eric White, who chairs the open spaces committee, said he believed anyone caught committing an act of vandalism should be taken to court.

"I think it's the only way we are going to stop it," he said.

The outer fence of the playground was now beyond repair and would have to be replaced, he said, adding that there had been "loads of complaints" about broken glass, vomit and chip papers strewn around the area.

Last month the committee heard that the playhouse was in a poor state and it was suggested that removing it would discourage youths from congregating there.

Replacing it with a see-saw and suitable dome-shaped climbing frame and safety surface would cost around £10,000.

Coun John Shipp had been working to keep the playground safe and tidy and was thanked for his efforts, but it was agreed that the council should have paid staff to do the job.