LYDNEY'S vandalism repair bill has escalated and the town council says it can no longer afford to replace worn out play equipment on The Mesne, Primrose Hill.
The council is currently looking at funding options for a new play area, but says money is too tight to fit a replacement this year.
There is a growing vandalism problem in Lydney, associated with alcohol, and over the weekend residents in Roman Park found children's play areas littered with broken glass.
Lydney Town Council clerk Sue Watson said: "It had got to the point where the equipment was border-line safe and we thought it would be better to be safe than sorry.
"We hope to put some new equipment in its place, but it will not be this financial year, as new play equipment is expensive and we have been experiencing quite a bit of vandalism."
Mrs Watson said reports of children drinking alcohol in Bathurst Park had been increasing recently.
She reports complaints of broken drinks bottles and cans strewn around the park, children drinking on the bowling green and young people breaking the litter bins with hockey sticks.
Mrs Watson said the council concerned about whether the problems might increase in the lighter summer evenings.
One reader from Augustus Way, who asked not to be named, said teenagers left broken alcohol bottles all around children's play equipment and seating areas at the weekend.