Dawlish's new Manor Gardens play park was vandalised on Sunday night (12 February), according to the town council.

The local authority said that the perspex windows of the train model had been smashed, several swings were swung around the frames to make them unusable, and the area "was filled with litter".

It added it had reported the incident to the police and would "not hesitate to prosecute" individuals in order to protect the area.

A Dawlish Town Council spokesperson said: "It's been reported to the police who have confirmed the area will be added to their patrols as a priority.

"Members of the public are encouraged to report any disturbances they see to the police and/or us. We will not hesitate to prosecute where we are able so that we can protect the area for everyone's enjoyment."

Work on the £320k project, which also includes a children's trail on the Lawn, began in November.

It is due to be officially opened by the mayor at 2.30pm on Saturday 4 March.