Vandalism is now a regular occurrence in Callington’s parks, says the town council.

In recent incidents at the Saltash Road Recreation Ground, fencing has been damaged and stones have been removed from a wall, leaving a dangerous gap onto a busy road below.

‘Town council staff, who should be busy attending to grass cutting, are being pulled off their schedule every day to put right and make safe this mindless damage,’ said town clerk Helen Dowdall.

‘Rails from the post and rail fence around the skate park have been pulled out and have been found in a nearby tree, gates have been torn from their hinges and a section of the Cornish bank has been demolished, leaving an open gap onto a 15 foot drop down to the main A388.’

Mrs Dowdall said that the skate park had been closed for repairs after a fault was discovered just prior to the half-term holiday.

The town council was feeling frustrated and disheartened, she said. ‘You want to bring nice things to the town, but sometimes you might feel there’s no point.’

The vandalism has been reported to the police.