VANDALS have run up a repair bill of more than £1,500 within six weeks in Wear Valley.

Wear Valley District Council's Technical Services Committee totted up how much vandals have cost the taxpayer since the last committee meeting on May 25 and discovered it came to £1,630.

Community centres and leisure complexes have suffered most.

Henknowle Community Centre, Weardale Leisure Complex and Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex were among those hit and public toilets in Stanhope have had hand basins, water pipes and roof tiles vandalised.

The bill comes just weeks after councillors took the drastic action of razing to the ground the Deborah Wood Pavilion.

Tens of thousands of pounds had been poured into the centre at West Auckland, after it was wrecked by vandals virtually every night for several months.

Chairman of the technical services committee Coun June Lee said: "Vandalism is costing all the time. The places that are hit used to be the hub of the community, it's such a shame.

"It's getting serious and all departments across the council are noticing the cost. The upkeep comes through the council, which is strapped for cash."