A VANDAL blighted youth shelter removed from a play area on safety grounds will not be put back despite local pressure.

Sowerby Parish Council, near Thirsk, spent £78,000 on upgrading the Flatts play area last year putting in new equipment.

Amongst the items they located there was a £6,000 youth shelter and the equipment was meant to last for several years.

But youths moved in and used the shelter as a meeting place and they tried to set fire to it and smashed bottles, leaving glass lying about.

A fence was put up around the play area but the shelter caused so many problems with damage and noise concerns for locals that the parish council removed it.

It was never put back and the parish council is in the process of trying to sell it Former parish council member Don Cartridge, who helped work on the play area while a councillor, has written to the council to urge them to reconsider the position.

In his letter Mr Cartridge said that the play shelter should go back as an on street alcohol ban in Thirsk means some of the problems should not take place.

Also as the fence has been fitted and is proving a deterrent against troublemakers the shelter can be fitted without hassle arising.

The parish council has taken advice on the matter from Hambleton District Council in response.

Councillor Mark Robson, parish council chairman, said: “The district council is aware that the play area is fenced and that this would reduce noise problems by restricting access.

“There was concern about litter and smashed bottles and if it was put back and the district fears the problems would go back.”

Other members of the parish council were also cautious about putting it back.

Councillor David Murkett said a chief constable had urged members at a National Association of Local Councils meeting not to have youth shelters like this one.

The parish council has said that if it finds a suitable area, with no play area, for the shelter before it sells it then it may put it there.