VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in a spate of attacks on village toilets, bus shelters and a sports complex.

Ferryhill Town Council is angry about the vandalism in Ferryhill Station and Mainsforth, and said it will cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.

The toilets in the village have been smashed along with other equipment and the walls have been defaced with graffiti.

Several glass panels in two bus shelters have been smashed, leaving shattered glass on the pavements.

Plants, which were expected to bloom in the summer, have been ripped up and destroyed at Mainsforth Sports Complex.

The safety surface at the Doorstep Green recreation area has also been destroyed in recent weeks along with ornate railings. A spokesman for the council said this was not the first time that the village has been subjected to vandalism.

He said: "This is all very disappointing after so much money has been spent in the Station area over recent months.

"To see so much damage in the space of a few days is devastating.

"At the end of the day, it will be the local people who have to pick up the bill when they get their council tax bill, as the town council gets no Government subsidies for services."

The council has reported the incidents to the police and is now appealing for residents to help stamp out trouble by volunteering information.

Any witnesses to the vandalism can call the council on (01740) 652157 or the police on 0845 606 0365 anonymously.