A MUM says she can no longer take her three-year-old daughter to her local play area after it was “trashed” by vandals.

Sarah Cross, 29, used to take her three-year-old daughter to the play park at Uppleby Road in Upper Parkstone, Poole several times a week.

However, on a recent visit she discovered vandals had ripped up pieces of tarmac and set them alight. She said equipment had also been damaged and the area was “full of dog poo, litter and needles”.

The play area is regularly used by children who attend nearby Sylvan Infant School.

“The neighbouring house used to shut the park and lock it for the council so these types of things couldn’t happen, but that stopped happening recently.

“When I took my three-year-old to the park the other day I was shocked to see the state of it. There’s never been problems in this park before, but it has since become completely trashed.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen that level of litter. There was even drug paraphernalia around the swings.

“We used to take our daughter there every other day, but we’ve not taken her back since this.”

Sarah said she preferred to take her daughter to the play park at Whitecliff which is “better looked after”.

“A lot of school children go to the Uppleby Road play area as it’s on their way home. I hope the council look to clear it up soon and do something to stop this from happening again.”

A Borough of Poole spokesperson said: “We are aware that there has been an increase in litter and some low-level damage to the play area on Uppleby Road throughout the summer period.

“Officers monitor the area on a regular basis and will continue to monitor it to ensure the play area remains a safe place for families.

“Borough of Poole is currently also looking at ways to reduce anti-social behaviour within the play park.”