VANDALS have trashed equipment and fencing at a children’s park on Canvey.

Windows were smashed on a digger being used to revamp the play area at Waterside and the fencing surrounding the site was pushed over.

Castle Point Council is paying for the revamp of the playground as part of the latest phase of a complete refurbishment of the borough’s play areas.

The total project is costing £1.3million, but the latest phase, costing £300,000, also involves the refurbishment of King George V playing fields on Canvey, and the Woodside play area in Benfleet.

Peter Burch, councillor responsible for leisure and open spaces, said: “The play area at Waterside is being completely replaced as part of the council’s playground renewal programme, so it is hugely disappointing to see the site being vandalised.

“We would urge anyone with information on those involved to contact the police. It is only by working together as a community we can stamp out this antisocial behaviour.”

It is not known if the damage will push back completion of the project, which is expected to be completed by November at the latest.

Anyone with information about the vandalism, which happened late last Friday, should call Canvey police on 0300 3334444.