New play equipment in St Ives has been vandalised twice in three weeks since it was installed.

A toddler climbing frame was installed at Burleigh Hill Park the week before the half term (February 16-20) but by the first day of the school break the equipment had been defaced.

A boy, aged about eight or nine, reported the graffiti to St Ives Town Council. He told the council’s ground maintenance team he didn’t want little children to learn to read swear words.

However the climbing frame didn’t stay clean for long as by Monday morning, vandals had struck again.

This time, unsavoury and racist remarks were scrawled over the equipment in pen.

Alison Melnyczuk, town clerk, said: “The new toddler climbing frame was installed in the week before half term at a cost of £10,000.

“We received a call on Monday, February 16, reporting the graffiti and the ground maintenance team responded immediately to remove it.

“I am very disappointed that someone felt the need to do this so soon but would like to take this opportunity to thank the young person who made the call to let us know about it.”

INFORMATION: If you know anything about the graffiti, call Cambridgeshire police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.