VANDALS have ruthlessly destroyed a children's splash zone in Newbury.
The water recreation park, which was unveiled in May, was vandalised overnight by criminals who stole a bag of ready mix concrete.
They proceeded to tip it across the park surface and into the water supply drainage system.
The thieves broke through fencing in Victoria Park before destroying the popular children's attraction on December 7.
Councillor Dave Goff, leader of Newbury Town Council, said: “This is an horrendous act of vandalism, on one of our most enjoyed play areas which could cost Newbury Town Council a significant sum to repair.
“Through quick action and hard work our Grounds Maintenance Team has managed to save the Splash Park and the drainage systems have successfully been flushed through but this could have easily been a disaster for the play facility.”
The Splash Park will re-open in spring 2017.