A reward of £500 is being offered after vandals smashed 18 street lights at a park in three nights.

The damage, estimated at thousands of pounds, was discovered by council staff when they carried out inspections at the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone.

The lights were damaged last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.

Most of the shattered bulbs were in the play area and at the eastern end of the park.

Shepway Community Safety Partnership is now offering a £500 reward for information leading to the convictions of the vandals.

Shepway District Council is having the damaged assessed in first steps to replace the bulbs and light fittings.

Cllr Malcolm Dearden, cabinet member for parks and leisure, said: “This is a mindless act of vandalism that puts people at risk.

“The lights are there for safety reasons and it will be costly for Shepway taxpayers to pay for their repairs.

“I would urge anyone who thinks they can help to convict the culprits to step forward and contact the police immediately.”

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who has information should call Kent Police on 101 Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.