ACTION is being taken by Helsby parish councillors to protect the village play areas from vandals.
From this week the council will be closing the children's play area, off Lower Robin Hood Lane, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 8pm and 9pm and reopening it at 9am each morning.
Councillors will take it in turn to do this and it will take place for a one-month trial period.
This action was proposed by the parks, cemeteries and allotments committee and was discussed at the parish council meeting last Monday.
It follows councillors' concerns about vandalism in the village carried out by youths.
Clr Frank Thomas said: "This is because of the vandalism in the park in the evenings.
"It will just show whether they can still get into the park.
"It is an experimental period for one month after which we will review it."
Some councillors raised concerns about what to do if youths, or other people, are still in the park when they arrive to close it and they are faced with any opposition.
It was agreed that they would walk away and not encourage any trouble.
The children's play area is a hot spot for vandalism and a cause for concern in the town.
This time last year Helsby suffered a spate of vandalism and youths ripped up the safety surface in the play area.
They caused £25,000 damage in a number of incidents.
Jeanette Hughes, town clerk, has put up notices in the area but they are expected to fall into the hands of vandals very quickly.
jdriscoll@guardiangrp.co.uk.
