Published: Wednesday, 2nd June, 2010 2:25pm

How could they ruin play area?

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By Jennifer Cauley

HEARTLESS thugs ripped apart thousands of pounds worth of nursery play equipment.

Vandals broke into the garden of the McCready Family Centre last weekend and trashed a jungle gym used daily by the toddlers.

The £6000 state of the art apparatus was destroyed when cruel yobs burst in through the back entrance to the facility's garden and stamped mercilessly on top of the play centre's roof.

It is thought they continued to jump until the structure caved in completely.

The popular toy was ruined beyond repair and council bosses have now dismantled and removed it from the grounds.

Distraught youngsters at the centre in Water Road have been left with nothing and staff face weeks of waiting to find out if they qualify for grants to replace the structure.

And they face a grim future if their bid fails, with one member of staff admitting that they don't know how long it will take to raise the cash to replace the equipment.

A spokesperson from the family centre said: "It must have happened sometime over the weekend because when we came in on Monday morning we saw the damage straight away.

"The kids saw it as soon as they came in and the mums were asking us what had happened.

"The gym took up basically our whole back garden.

"The wee ones were really sad because they don't understand why they can't go on it because it's broken."

The slides and bars attached to the gym are useless after intruders smashed the floorboards which children previously walked on to reach the toys.

Desperate staff have even asked council bosses for CCTV footage in an attempt to track down the culprit.

Named after former Barrhead provost Walter McCready, the council-run centre promotes family events and all of their pupils are under three.

Determined staff have vowed to keep up the children's spirits - already banking a staggering £800 in the fundraising pot.

The spokesperson added: "Hopefully we can raise some money and buy them something else for the garden instead.

"We had a karaoke last week and raised nearly £800 which was supposed to be for things in the garden.

"Now that will have to go into the fund to buy a new piece of equipment.

"We don't know how long it's going to take us to fundraise for a new one and once it's taken down it will be a blank playground.

"Whoever did this could see that the equipment was for small children and I don't understand why anyone would do something like that.

"We just hope we'll be able to get a replacement soon."

A police spokesman said: "Any vandalism or damage to property is completely unacceptable and we will endeavour to find those responsible for this.

"There is a high chance this crime was committed by local people.

"We would appeal for any witnesses to the crime or anyone with any information to contact us."

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman added: "As this is our facility we will certainly take a look to see what we can do to replace this facility.

"We abhor vandalism, especially when it affects young children.

"We would like to take this opportunity to ask anyone who saw this act taking place to contact ourselves or the police so we can catch whoever is responsible."

If you have any information regarding the incident, contact police on 0141 532 6200.

If you think you can help the nursery in their quest to buy a new piece of equipment then ring the newsdesk on 0141 435 8837.