YOBS have left a Moulton play area littered with broken glass and graffiti after a number of incidents in the past month.

The latest incidents at the weekend also saw fires lit at the new toddler and junior play area which had only been opened on Friday.

Residents are being urged to be extra vigilant around the multi-use games area (MUGA) and playing fields, off Main Road, to stop the vandals striking again.

Elaine Beech, parish clerk, said: "These are little incidents that have been costly, disruptive and unsafe for children."

The parish council has had to fork out more than £350 to repair two sections of fence around the toddler and junior play area, as well as clean up graffiti and remove a burnt out bin.

Graffiti was daubed on the children's slide and safety notices in the play area, as well as on the teen shelters by the MUGA.

But the amount of broken glass left on the field is a major concern for the council.

Elaine said: "Our litter picker has reported a tremendous amount of glass and it's clear by the way it's spread that bottles are being lobbed over to see how far the glass can scatter."

Clr Jo Kershaw said a bench by the MUGA had also been damaged and a trench dug in the ground, possibly to act as a bike ramp.

She added: "We need to ask everyone to be vigilant and if they see any signs of misbehaviour to report it to the police and ask for an incident number.

"We need to ask everyone, particularly people who use the area to walk their dogs or people who live near there, because we need to monitor what's going on."

PCSO Richard Forster has also been alerted to the incidents and is targeting the area.