Vandals wreak havoc at Hillmorton Recreation Ground

The Featherbed Lane recreation ground's pavilion was broken into and dozens of holes were dug in a football pitch and the children's play area.

Mud was strewn across the play area and a rope supporting the play area's bridge was cut.

Council staff discovered the damage shortly before 7am on Wednesday (23 September) and found discarded gardening tools - a hoe and a scythe - believed to have been brought by the vandals to carry out the attack.

The council has now started work to repair the damage, with the final clean-up bill expected to top £1,000.

The incident has been reported to Warwickshire Police.

Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable environment, said: "Vandalising an area where children play makes whoever did this the lowest of the low in my eyes.

"Acts of vandalism such as this cost the council a significant amount of taxpayers' money, money which should be spent on providing services for our residents.

"The overwhelming majority of our residents appreciate the borough's parks and green spaces, and we should never tolerate the mindless behaviour of the minority.

"I hope witnesses come forward and the person responsible is prosecuted with the full weight of the law."

Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Warwickshire Police on 101.