Park play area locked up as council says it's been left with 'no choice'

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A park playground has been closed after extensive damage caused by youths repeatedly setting alight wheelie-bins taken from nearby homes. Over the past week, the children’s play area at Kearsley Park has suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage after what one councillor described as ‘repeated and truly despicable vandalism’.

After an initial blaze which damaged the play surface, Bolton council fenced off the affected area only for that fence to be set on fire and more bins set alight. Coun Tracey Wilkinson, who represents the area on Bolton council, said bins had been taken from Thomas More Close, next to the park and that she had received several reports about a group of around 10 to 12 youths causing the havoc.

She said: “Over the past week, the play area at Kearsl