Fundraising to repair damages to a £40,000 children's play park has begun.

The playground, which is located behind the village hall on North Weald Common, was targeted by vandals last month in an attack which saw graffiti tags sprayed across equipment and glass placed at the top of the slide.

The park, which includes swings, a climbing frame and a pole spin, was officially opened at an annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic in October following a years worth of fundraising by community group, North Weald Mums.

The group, who contributed £3,500 towards the new facility and received £36,500 in grants, have now organised a series of events in a bid to raise enough funds to install security and new equipment. 

The fundraising push, which also hopes to raise enough to install a £5,000 roundabout with disabled access, includes an easter egg hunt on April 6, a pre-loved sale on May 23, a 'Skool Disco' on June 13 and the groups third annual teddy bears picnic on July 12.

North Weald Mums Chairperson Sue Malpass said: "not only was the park vandalised with graffiti but glass was inserted at the top of the slide which was a horrendous act which could have led to the injury, or worse, of a small child. 

"We were hoping to focus our efforts this year on raising money for new equipment and introducing options for teenagers to enjoy as well.

"However we must instead try to raise the money needed to install highly technical security equipment to try and prevent anything like this happening again and make the park a safe place for its intended users."