CAMPAIGNERS for a Gornal park have been left 'disgusted' by vandalism which has damaged the park's newly installed play equipment and seen racist graffiti scrawled on a wall.

Vandals struck at Abbey Street Park last Thursday, when a fire extinguisher was let off, releasing a cloud of powder over the play equipment.

Racist graffiti was also discovered on a nearby wall and paint was daubed over the new swings and slide.

The new accessible play equipment was installed earlier this month and cost £60,000.

Kaye Highway, from the Friends of Abbey Street Park, said: "We're disgusted, we're so angry. It's took two years to get to this point.

"We're having a grand opening in May 8 and we want to look forward to it but we will be lucky if we get to that stage."

Kaye was horrified when she saw the damage, initially thinking the play area has been set on fire.

Kaye explained: "We went to the park to see if it's OK and we were parking up when we saw what look liked plumes of smoke. I thought it was on fire."

"We went to look and there was three young lads. They said it was a fire extinguisher and walked off. They couldn't care less."

Kaye said how frustrating this behaviour is when the new equipment is there for all of the community to enjoy.

She added: "We've left it in the hands of the police."

Dudley Council is currently cleaning up the site and the offensive graffiti has been covered up.

Alan Lunt, Deputy Chief Executive and strategic director for place, said: “We strongly condemn the senseless vandalism and offensive graffiti at Abbey Street Park, a green space that is used by the whole of the community including families with young children.

“We are now in the process of removing the graffiti and will fully support the police with any investigations.”

The Friends of Abbey Street Park are continuing their appeal to fund CCTV cameras in the park, with collection boxes based in shops around the village.