PLAY equipment that was removed after vandals targeted an Orford park 18 months ago will not be replaced.

Equipment including the zip wire and swings in Peel Hall Park was removed in October 2015 after being severely damaged by arson attacks and other vandalism.

But the facilities will not be replaced having originally been funded by grants.

A Warrington Borough Council spokesman said: "The park was installed under a play builder scheme where grants were given for the equipment to be installed and unfortunately ongoing maintenance repairs and replacement of equipment are not accounted for when grants are awarded.

"As a consequence, the equipment cannot be replaced at this time and, due to the high value of cost of this equipment, we are not currently in a financial position to replace the items that have been destroyed by the fire."

Further damage to the toddler's play area in the park has also been reported in recent months.

Former Mayor of Warrington and councillor Geoff Settle is a founder member of the Friends of Peel Hall Park.

He said: "The funds raised by the Friends of Peel Hall and the time spent in consultation with the experts and Warrington Borough Council to mitigate against vandalism in developing and selecting the equipment was a massive undertaking.

"We also had three community fun days that made use of the play areas.

"However it has obviously not been appreciated by a couple of youngsters who have basically stuck two fingers up at the community and the youngsters who were getting a lot of fun and enjoyment from the place.

"It was developed to give the youngsters a place to go and enjoy themselves with their friends and make friends.

"Unfortunately we live in an area where the kids just trash the good stuff."