Vandals have caused thousands of pounds of damage to Weston-super-Mare’s water park – which has left it closed as the school holidays start.
Weston Town Council, which operates the seafront attraction, had hoped to get it open at the weekend as temperatures soared into the mid-twenties.
But just as the authority was preparing it open its doors, vandals struck causing thousands of pounds of damage.
The hooligans trashed the wooden castle on the site as well as daubing the park with obscene graffiti.
The graffiti is now being cleaned off or covered over.
The water park is one of 21 play areas and parks managed by the town council.
All of the other parks opened ahead of the weekend.
The town council says it has seen a rise in the levels of vandalism at its play areas during lockdown – despite the fact they were closed.
A spokesman for Weston Town Council said: “Weston Town Council has been working hard to make their play areas safe for children to play in during this time of Covid-19.
“Sadly, their efforts are being hindered by vandals who are causing a large amount of damage.
“Despite this twenty out of their twenty-one play areas are open.
“Unfortunately, the popular Water adventure play park was further damaged.
“One of our grounds team who has worked with the council for several years said they had never seen so much damage to the play areas across the town.”
The town council says it is working hard to get the play area repaired open as soon as possible.
