VANDALS damaged a newly refurbished play park just days before its re-opening.
The Love Lane play equipment was officially opened on Friday and was deemed a success for local campaigners the Ongar Mums Group (OMG) and the Ongar Town Council.
However, the vandals decided to set the grass and rubbish bin alight, graffiti the fence, pull up protective matting and carve names into picnic tables.
The damage, which happened on May 8, has since been repaired by the council.
The vandalism was captured on CCTV and the footage has been passed on to the police.
OMG's Liz May said: "It is just really disappointing.
"It had only just been built so you wonder why they had to do it."
She added: "The council repaired it very quickly so I am thankful for that, but it didn't need to happen."
OMG raised nearly £1,800 for the refurbishment and suggested the idea to the town council earlier this year.
Town council clerk Aimi Middlehurst said: "It was regrettable that it happened but the damage was minimal and the park is up and running."
