“Disgusting” graffiti is forcing parents to keep their children away from a £8,000-plus playground.

Vandals attacked the play equipment in Central Park, Haworth, within a week of it being installed. The rundown playground was rebuilt last month in a project spearheaded by the parish council and Bradford Council.

The new equipment includes a large tube slide, swings, rocking horse, disabled roundabout, basketball hoop and goal post.

Council chairman John Huxley, pictured right, has blasted the youths who scrawled obscene language on the equipment. He said he had received many calls from parents and other residents about the graffiti.

He said: “We spent a lot of time attracting funding and to get people to damage it is really infuriating.”

Cllr Huxley was angry about the “mindless” vandalism going on in parks in both Haworth and Cross Roads.

He said: “Some people have no respect for anything. They don’t contribute anything to society. In the final analysis it comes down to behavioural standards.”

Cllr Huxley believed the graffiti had been caused by three or four young people with others “getting carried along”.

He said: “These young people seem to be in the age group that finished with playgrounds but can’t go out to do adult things. I want them to be able to go somewhere. We don’t object to them being in the park.”

Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council is now talking to the neighbourhood policing team about what action can be taken. It also hopes to work with Oxenhope Parish Council and Keighley Town Council on a joint body providing activities for young people across the Worth Valley.

Sgt Chris Watson, of Bingley and Worth neighbourhood policing team, said: “Vandalism of this kind is upsetting for the community and the matter is being investigated. Anyone with information should call 01274 47533.”