A PLAY area that was refurbished at a cost of £100,000 earlier this year has been attacked by vandals.

Damage estimated at £300 was caused to the Springfield Park facility in Kidderminster when hooligans threw paint over it.

The white emulsion was splattered over the site between 10.15am on Monday and 9.15am on Tuesday last week. Wyre Forest District Council jet washed the play area in the wake of the attack.

A vehicle was also discovered, burned out, in the park on Tuesday last week.

It was not known whether the incidents were linked.

Andrew Dickens, the council's head of cultural, leisure and commercial services, said: "We would encourage anybody who has any information about the vandalism at Springfield Park to contact the police.

"Ultimately, it is the youngsters who use the play area that suffer from this selfish behaviour.

"Earlier this year, the play area at Springfield Park was refurbished and we spent £100,000 on new equipment.

"It is part of an on-going programme to upgrade play areas in the district. We would much rather be continuing to improve facilities and provide new ones than spend money on repairs."

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Kidderminster police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.