A PLAY area in Teesdale has been closed for the second time in six months after vandals caused more than £300 damage to safety barriers.

Council officers were forced to close the play area at Stainton Grove, in Barnard Castle, when it was deemed unsafe after the damage last week.

Vandals had removed a safety barrier on a slide and loosened another, bringing the total repair bill this year to more than £600. Vandalism to the play area, which was built in 1992 and is maintained by Teesdale District Council, has been increasing since 1999.

The most serious damage was in September last year, when swings and a climbing frame were wrecked, and the play area was closed for a month for repairs.

The play area consists of two cradle swings, two junior swings and a climbing frame.

Teesdale District Council leisure manager, Paul Branch, will report on the problem to the council's development and leisure committee tomorrow.

He said: "Over the last couple of years, and especially in the last six months, there have been several incidents at the site which have left it vandalised and unsafe. My main concern is that this vandalism seems to be a recurring problem, and one which has cost the council over £600 so far this year."