Vandals have been condemned for a spate of attacks on a popular children's play area.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused and several pieces of equipment wrecked at the Derwent play area, in Norton, in recent months.

Community leaders have called for an end to the wave of vandalism and urged the culprits to think about the effects of their actions.

Since the start of the year, a children's see-saw was smashed twice in the space of a week, swings and a fence were broken and graffiti sprayed across the equipment.

The latest attacks spread to Lady Spring Woods, in nearby Malton, where mosaics created by local artists were defaced and broken glass scattered over the ground.

Jos Holmes, cultural services manager for Ryedale District Council, said: "The see-saw had been put back for a week after it was damaged last time and we won't be putting that back again.

"We are hoping to replace it with a very basic see-saw which will be difficult to damage.

"We are dealing with every incident as it comes up, but it costs a lot of money. I feel really sad for the people who want to go and use it for what it was intended for."

The district council is adamant that it will continue to replace equipment despite the threat of further vandalism.

Ryedale district councillor Elizabeth Shields said: "It really is a great shame because the play area is used by a lot of families and it is a favourite place for people to go down and picnic in.

"Lady Spring Woods is a lovely walk and great improvements have been made there recently.

"When efforts are made on behalf of the community to improve an area and make it attractive, a few people spoil it for everyone else.

"These are places where families visit and they are deliberately being wrecked by mindless people."