COUNCILLORS in Egglescliffe have finally lost patience over a vandalised play area, and say they will not pay for any more repairs.

The community has been warned that if the roundabout at the St Margaret's site is vandalised once more, it will be taken out.

The decision was taken at last Thursday's meeting of the parish council.

Clerk Mrs Helen Rennison said: "Rather than throw good money after bad, the council has decided the next time this roundabout is damaged, it will be removed."

Vice-chairman Coun Sue Ireland said the play area had been vandalised over and over again. The firm which handled repairs had said that any more damage and the roundabout would have to scrapped.

"The area is well used by young children but unfortunately it also attracts older teenagers," said Coun Ireland.

"It is upsetting for us to have to come to this as the older ones are spoiling everything for the children who use it properly."

The area has a small amount of play equipment and recently a basketball hoop was added.

Coun Ireland said this had been hugely popular. "But the roundabout has had a lot of abuse. We took this decision with a good deal of regret. If we have to remove it we will have to look for something less likely to be damaged as it costs us a lot of money in constant repairs.

"We realise that parents whose children enjoy the area will be upset but there is nothing else we can do."