YOBS have vandalised an outdoor table tennis just two months after it was installed.

The game, in Willingale Road, Loughton, has been destroyed and a huge chunk of wood has been kicked out.

The town council, which spent £2,000 on the table back in April, have been left "extremely disappointed".

Enid Walsh, the town clerk, said: "It is very frustrating that facilities provided for use by all the community are treated in this way.

"With the summer holidays fast approaching, this equipment would have provided hours of free fun entertainment for our young residents."

It was paid for by a grant from Essex County Council's Community Initiatives Fund.

The authority has now contacted the suppliers to see if the extensive damage can be repaired.

Officers are unsure when it happened because it was discovered during a routine site inspection.

Anyone with any information about the damage is asked to ring the council on 020 8508 4200, Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.