PARENTS and children are devastated after a playground was damaged by vandals.

Rude graffiti has been scrawled on play equipment at the playground in Larup Avenue, Canvey.

Tiles used for playing hopscotch have also been removed.

Mum Heidi Caller, 32, took her son Bobby-Lee, two, to the park on Monday morning and was sad to see the state it had been left in.

She said: “We found it like that yesterday morning.

“My little one, Bobby, absolutely loves that park and asks for it all the time.

“We got there about 11.15am and another lady and her son were in there.

“We had a chat about how terrible it looked.

“Children being children go straight for the loose tarmac and start to pick it up.”

Heidi added that she was saddened to see that the area had been destroyed.

She said: “I was quite shocked at first.

“I know a lot of mums and friends who use the park regularly.

“It angers me to think that there are children and teens or even adults out there totally abusing property intended for small children to use.

“My two-year-old was walking around the park shouting ‘oh no dirty’ and ‘yuck’.

“He loves the climbing frame and slide but refused to go on it.

“Grass and leaves had been thrown all over the slide and mud, too.”

She added that the park was a popular place for parents and children, and the destruction had upset a lot of other people.

Other mums also expressed their upset at the vandalism.

Mum Laura Burt said: “It’s disgusting seeing a child’s play area like this.

“Not all parents are able to go to groups due to anxiety around other people.

“Parks are a less stressful option and mean that their children don’t miss out.”

Debbie Exley, of Canvey, added :”I think it’s terrible. I’m guessing this is teenagers and I appreciate there isn’t much for teenagers to do on the island, but surely defacing a child’s park is more to do with lack of respect. I’ve never defaced anything in my life and being a parent I would be mortified if my child was involved in doing this.”

Castle Point councillor Ray Howard said: “I am very disappointed to hear this.

“The play area is very well used and popular with parents and children.

“We have invested a lot of money so it is a shame.”