A new children's play park which is still being built has been targeted by thieves.

The theft of two sections of large metal tubing from the middle of a partially-built slide at the park on Church Marshes, off Miller Close, Kemsley, has appalled police and council officers.

The culprits, who took the slide on Sunday night, also caused damage to a timber tower and made off with an information board which contained drawings by children at Kemsley Primary School.

Their illustrations showed the different species which can be found in and around the pond area.

The slide will be repaired but the cost to replace the equipment and fit the part is estimated to be in the region of £15,000.

Police believe more than one person would have been needed to lift the slide sections and a vehicle used to take them away.

Insp Phil Hibben, from the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, said: "This is a despicable crime, which will have an impact on the local community. These offenders have stolen something from innocent children could have been enjoyed for many years to come.

"It is such a shame that a facility, which is being built for the local community, has been targeted by these callous offenders."

His disgust was echoed by Swale Borough Council's director of regeneration, Pete Raine, who said: "We are appalled that someone has taken it upon themselves to steal a part of the slide and to damage the information board.

"It's not just the fact that it's brand new equipment and signage that has been targeted that saddens us, it's the knock-on effects for the community, who we had hoped would be able to enjoy these new facilities shortly.

"We want everyone to look forward to visiting Milton Creek and yet these actions will prevent people from getting full enjoyment from their visit."

The park, which was paid for using a £2 million central government grant for the Milton Creek gateway landscape project, was due to open this summer.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01795 419119 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111