THE mayor of Holsworthy has expressed his sadness after newly installed play equipment in one of the town’s play facilities was vandalised within days of its arrival.

Holsworthy Town Council has been investing in new play equipment in Stanhope Park, with a new ‘pirate galleon’ play facility being installed.

As part of plans to mark the occasion, the equipment, installed by Academic Facilities, was given a name by the local primary school children at Holsworthy Primary School of ‘Gladiator’.

The council previously confirmed that an old roundabout had been removed from the park, with a replacement set to be installed in its place.

However, less than a week since the installation of the new ‘pirate galleon’, the equipment was the subject of vandalism ahead of an official opening ceremony to take place later in April.

With closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras covering the area directly over the play facility, Holsworthy Town Council has said that it has invited Devon and Cornwall Police to review the footage as part of their investigations.

Cllr Nigel Kenneally, the mayor of Holsworthy said: "After many months of hard work and significant investment Holsworthy Town council were delighted last week when a new piece of play equipment was installed in Stanhope Park. The pirate galleon was even given a name 'Gladiator' by the local primary school children. So I was absolutely disgusted to learn it had been vandalised after less than a week. The police have been contacted and we are waiting for them to come and review the CCTV which points directly at the play park.”

The new ‘pirate galleon’ play equipment will be officially opened in a ceremony to take place in Stanhope Park on April 24, at 2pm led by Cllr Kenneally and featuring the school children from Holsworthy Primary School who gave it its name.