Youngsters have been given a ticking off by councillors following continued vandalism at a games area.

The Holt Street recreational ground in Rishton has been targeted by a series of deliberate fires in recent weeks, leaving tarmac permanently damaged.

Ward councillor Ken Moss, who is also Hyndburn council’s cabinet member for parks, said he caught several youngsters in the act and added he has been to see their parents to explain the situation.

He said: “I gave the kids a monumental telling off and the parents were genuinely mortified when I turned up on their doorsteps.

“In fairness to the youths involved, there was no cockiness about it once I had explained what it actually meant for Rishton’s future, but I would just beg for a bit of respect for our village rather than vandalising what few facilities we have. This is very saddening, but also immensely frustrating.

“I am currently working to try and increase play park provision in lower Rishton and it makes it very difficult for me to justify spending tens of thousands when what we have is being so openly vandalised.

“The message just isn’t getting through.”