Residents were left furious after public toilets, baby changing units, and soap dispensers were vandalised in a County Durham park.

Great Aycliffe Town Council (GATC) have said there will be significant repair costs after toilets, toilet cisterns, baby changing facilities, soap dispensers, and bins were smashed and damaged at public toilets at St Oswald's Park on Monday (April 10).

They said they believe the damage, which also saw rubbish littered around the building and soap dispensers snapped from their mountings, was done to the Newton Aycliffe toilets before 3:30pm

At the time, a council spokesperson said the toilets would be closed until Crime Scene Investigation can take place and CCTV is reviewed.

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The spokesperson added: "Sometime before 3.30pm on Monday significant damage had been caused in the public toilets at St Oswald's Park.

"Council Officers were called to the public toilets at St Oswald's Park on Easter Monday at 3.30pm, following a report that the facility had been vandalised.

"Upon arrival both the male and female public toilets had been damaged and needed to be closed to ensure public safety.

"Toilet cisterns, smashed, baby changing units damaged, toilet and soap dispensers smashed, bins broken and rubbish thrown around the building.

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"Unfortunately, the toilets will be closed until Crime Scene Investigation can take place and CCTV reviewed.

"Police continue to investigate several leads, with a view to identify the offenders. If identified, Great Aycliffe Town Council have confirmed every effort will be made to ensure that the culprits are made to financially pay for the required repairs."

"Repair costs will be significant and will take considerable time."

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Images released by the council showed smashed pieces of toilet cisterns and rubbish strewn across the bathroom floor.

The council have said the damage left them with a repair bill in excess of £700, and a valued public convenience being out of action over the busy Easter break.

A Durham Police said: "Police are investigating after public toilets at St Oswald’s Park in Newton Aycliffe were damaged.

"The incident happened sometime between 8am and 3.30pm on Monday, April 10 and resulted in the toilet cisterns, soap and toilet roll dispensers, and baby changing facilities being damaged.

"As a result of a social media appeal by Great Aycliffe Town Council, an eight-year-old boy has been identified as potentially being involved in the incident. Police officers are due to speak to him at home with his parents."

Residents reacted to the images with a mixture of shock and disgust, and condemned the act of vandalism.

One resident said: "Oh my God, senseless vandalism. I hope you find the persons responsible, it's just sickening."

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Another incensed resident said: "What a disgraceful thing to do! Hope you catch who did this!"

While another baffled resident questioned the action, they said: "Seriously, what do they get out of doing this? It just spoils it for everyone else."

Speaking on the damage, a GATC spokesperson said the facility will be reopened soon and were pleased with the positive comments regarding its maintenance.

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They said: "Vandalism of this nature to a valued community facility in Aycliffe is still relatively rare, and the act has been met with universal public condemnation on both social media and around the park.

"The Council have also noted numerous positive comments about how well both the public toilets and the park is normally maintained at St Oswalds and confirmed that the facility will be reopened very soon so that families can again enjoy the facilities to the full."

Anyone who has any further information on the incident should contact Durham Constabulary on 101 Live Chat here, quoting incident number 254 of April 10.