Parents have expressed their anger after a children's play park was trashed by vandals, leaving it unusable.

Glass was found on the floor of the playground in Ashford, while swings were missing, rubbish was thrown on the floor and other equipment was damaged.

One mum, from Kingsnorth, said she was unable to take her children to Brisley Farm Park after branding it unsafe.

The mother-of-two, who did not wish to be named, said: "I had to stop my son running off to play as I immediately saw the rubbish, glass and damage to the equipment.

"I arrived with my nearly two-year-old toddler in his pushchair and my four-year-old on his bike.

"When we got there, I stopped and had to explain that we can’t stay and play here as it’s not safe - mainly because of all the glass - in case they fell onto it and cut themselves.

"My son was very upset as we usually visit this park on our way home from a walk. Although he was very understanding."

The mum said it was "frustrating" to see the park in this state.

She added: "I was frustrated, especially with how much council tax I have to pay which contributes to our local parks and play areas.

"It is frustrating to keep hearing about the parks of Ashford being vandalised and ruined.

"The swing was twisted and wrapped around the top of the frame, all the other bigger swings where not even there, one of the animal wobble seats was missing and then all the rubbish and glass.

"That’s what I could see from only being there for not even five minutes. There was no one else at the park at the time.

"I can’t remember when I went last but it’s very close to our home so we regularly go there."

She added that when her son had gone to the park with his grandmother about a month ago, there were teenagers smoking in the play area, which she said she sees quite a lot.

A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council said the glass has now been cleared up.

"Our team attended to remove the broken glass and rubbish," they said.

"Unfortunately this time of year we do experience vandalism in our play areas and parks from misuse.

"We do kindly ask residents to report any issues through our website, as it allows us to attend the area as soon as possible."

The council says they are due to receive the new crossbars for the swings in early September and as soon as they arrive they will be installed and the swings rehung.

The same applies for the springer.