VANDALS are putting people's lives in danger through a spate of park thefts.

In the past 18 months, a dozen water safety buoys have been stolen from the boating and fishing lakes in Herrington Country Park, which lies halfway between Sunderland and Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The torpedo-shaped buoys, which cost £30, are intended to be used as life-saving aids that can be thrown to anyone who falls into the lakes.

The 170-hectare park, which sits beside Penshaw Monument, opened in July 2002 on the site of the former Herrington Colliery pit heap.

It attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year, and park bosses are worried that a buoy could mean the difference between life and death.

They are calling on members of the public to help them catch the culprits.

Phil Barrett, Sunderland City Council's director of development and regeneration, said: "Despite our best efforts, the buoys are going missing almost as fast as we replace them.

"It's sheer mindless vandalism, not to mention a complete waste of money. But worse than that, it's putting lives at risk.

"I'd ask everyone who uses the park to be vigilant and urge anyone who sees anyone removing or damaging the buoys to report it to the police or to the city council."

Anyone with information about the buoy thefts can contact the council on 0191-553 8786.