A CASH-strapped parish council faced with a spate of vandalism has decided it cannot afford to repair the damage.

But parishioners in Kempsey will have to foot the bill next year, along with extra costs of improvements at the Community Centre, through increased council tax.

Kempsey beat manager Alan Naulls said criminal damage at the Plovers Rise playing field in the last few weeks included damaging play equipment, stealing a length of fence, breaking a gate and smashing fencing slats.

Repair costs of nearly £500, excluding labour, would have to come out of public funds.

"If people are going to vandalise it to this extent, the parish council will wonder whether they can go on ploughing money into it, but it is one of those scenarios where, if it is not repaired straight away, everyone thinks it's a free for all," he said.

Chairman Ray Ellis said he did not think the council could afford to replace the fence, only for it to be ripped out again.

"We are very short of funds and we may want to use unspent money for other things," he said.

David Harrison said 48 slats and two cross pieces had been knocked out of the fence in addition to the section that was stolen. He wanted to see it repaired immediately.

"Without the fence, the play area isn't safe and we would have to remove the play equipment, which would cost more than repairing it," he said.

It was agreed to replace the gate with a metal one and take advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on the safety of the play area. Urgent action will be taken if necessary.

Mr Ellis said the council had done what the parish wanted in keeping and refurbishing the Community Centre, incurring unexpected costs of £9,000 to improve the entrance.

To pay back money borrowed from other funds and build up reserves, it was agreed to raise the precept by £12,000, costing householders an average of £6 per year on the council tax.