GATES to a restored public park are being locked late in the afternoon in a bid to keep out vandals.

About £2m of Heritage Lottery money is going into the revamp of Horden Welfare Park, in east Durham, with the scheme now nearing completion.

But the restoration efforts are being hampered by repeated acts of vandalism, which have included the ripping up of cobble stones, removal of newly-planted shrubs and the setting fire to seating at Horden Colliery Welfare football ground, within the site.

The parish council's parks development manager, Jimmy Bush, said the gates are now being locked daily at 4.30pm.

"A lot of hard work has been put into the park over the last few years.

"We're trying to make Horden a better place and a minority is intent on ruining things for everyone."