More than £1,000 of damage has been caused to Centre Vale skate and BMX park, Todmorden.

But a Todmorden town councillor said closing the park was a knee-jerk reaction.

The sides of ramps were removed and nuts and bolts were taken out of equipment, leaving it unsafe.

Now Calderdale Council playgrounds manager Chris Holroyd has removed all the ramps.

He said that until young people could respect the equipment and report those who are dismantling it, he would not re-install it.

But Coun Josef Rez said: "It is a bit premature. Talk about the wrong time to take it down. This is the time when teenagers will be oiling their wheels and getting ready for summertime. They will find that there is nothing there, which will be a big disappointment."

He said park wardens, along with a new team of street angels, who will begin patrolling the town late at night next month, and two new police community support officers should be able to deal with any issues of vandalism or anti-social behaviour.

New playground equipment has also been damaged. A large climbing frame, which is used as a shelter by teenagers, has been set on fire.

Town councillors had asked for notices to be installed so people could ring to report vandalism and also asked Calderdale Council to write to local schools.

But before this could happen, the skate park was shut.

It opened in September 2003. It took five weeks to build and cost £40,000, funded by Calderdale Council and Rampage, part of Todmorden Youth Committee.

Mr Holroyd said: "Unfortunately we have had to remove some of the equipment from Centre Vale Park for health and safety reasons.

"It has come to the council's attention that some of the skate ramps have been vandalised.

"We are now working to find a way forward to ensure the young people of Todmorden can benefit from this facility again in the near future."

Vandals trash den in children's play area

Courier Comment - boredom is never an excuse