Bracknell

A summer house in Lily Hill Park, Bracknell has been restored after mindless vandals caused £6,000 of damage.

Tiles on the roof were pushed off, there was graffiti and a purpose-built bench was set on fire on Easter Sunday. It has been vandalised three times since it was completed just three months ago.

The entire roof had to be taken off so it could be lined underneath, to stop the tiles being pushed from below, and the bench - which was made from wood from the Bracknell park - had to be sanded down to remove the fire damage.

Due to the ongoing vandalism, Lily Hill staff are advertising the police non-emergency contact number and are intending to use local bye-laws against anyone caught damaging the park.

The summer house was built as part of the park's £2million lottery-funded restoration. It had already been regularly used as an open air classroom for dozens of school children and as a quiet retreat for reflection by other residents.

Bracknell Park officer Richard Scrivener said: "The summer house is a terrific addition to the park and its restoration, unfortunately it has become a magnet for mindless vandalism.

"We are determined to adopt a more robust stance in securing the well-being of what is much valued public property. The stupidity of a few is not going to spoil the enjoyment of hundreds of people."

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Bracknell Leisure and Corporate Services, said: "Vandalism of any kind should not and will not be tolerated. Officers of the Council and conservation volunteers have spent countless hours faithfully restoring our park to its former state and I know from the comments made to me, both from residents within my ward and from visitors to the park, the restoration is much admired and greatly enjoyed.

"Don't let the moronic few spoil our parks and countryside. If you see vandalism taking place in any public area, please call the police on 0845 8505505."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council