A park in Chipping Sodbury has been targeted by vandals for the third time in as many weeks.

Dodington Parish Council has decried the vandals who damaged fitness equipment on Sunday evening.

Hannah Saunders, council clerk, said groundsmen were met by 'a scene of devastation' on entering the park on Monday morning.

The new fitness equipment hadn't even been in situe a week.

All five of the posts to secure dogs to had been pulled out of the ground and flung into the hedges.

Rubber handgrips have also been pulled off the equipment and have not yet been found.

Fencing that was stacked awaiting collection from a contractor has been strewn about the park, jumped on and subsequently bent.

Hannah said: "This is the third case of mindless vandalism in as many weeks – all of the plants were ripped out of the flower beds and discarded not once but twice, the second time the plants couldn’t be saved - and now this.

"The equipment is designed as an attractive addition to a well used and well loved open space in Chipping Sodbury – and it was lovely over the weekend to see it being used by residents.

"Councillors and staff at the Dodington feel very disheartened, but will continue to work to maintain Lilliput for everyone’s enjoyment."

"They would like to thank the helpful residents that helped clear up , and would urge anyone who witnessed this vanalism to contact them. The police have been informed – and will be increasing patrols of the area."