A PLAYGROUP on the outskirts of York has suffered a spate of vandalism recently, which is putting the safety of young children at risk, its manager said.

Bishopthorpe Pre-School Playgroup's outdoor area has been blighted by graffiti and damage costing more than £1,000 over the last few months.

Broken glass was left scattered in the playground, a sand pit and a playhouse have been broken, tyres have been set alight in the playgroup's small woodland area, while a large commercial bin has also been set on fire.

In addition, obscene messages have been scrawled on the walls of another playhouse in chalk and pen, and staff have found condoms in the woodland area.

Police suggested installing security cameras, but these were destroyed within days.

Julie Morris, manager of the playgroup, in Ferry Lane, Bishopthorpe, is particularly concerned about smashed glass in the playground, and said: "Obviously it is a huge danger to the children.

"We clean it up as soon as we find it."

Staff now have to inspect the outdoor area every day to check if there has been any more vandalism.

"It is really disheartening, you wonder why they would do something like this," Julie commented.

"It is obviously a children's play area."

The playgroup, which is a registered charity, used to suffer incidents of vandalism occasionally, but it has become more regularly recently, Julie said.

About 24 children, aged three and four, attend each session held by the playgroup.

Julie says the charity has very little spare money.

She explained: "We have a fundraising team. They are very upset about it. They work really hard to raise money for the playgroup. But when things get smashed it is completely disheartening."

The playgroup is holding a big toy sale on November 11 from 10am at Archbishop of York's Junior School in Bishopthorpe, which it hopes will raise about £2,000 for the charity.