VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to play equipment in Royston. Repairs to equipment in play grounds at Priory memorial gardens and Newmarket Road cost the tax payer �60,000. Then later in the month, further damage to swings at the Newmar

VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to play equipment in Royston.

Repairs to equipment in play grounds at Priory memorial gardens and Newmarket Road cost the tax payer �60,000.

Then later in the month, further damage to swings at the Newmarket Road playground was thought to have been caused by dogs training for illegal dog fights.

Officials from North Herts district council said they could not keeping "pouring cash into a seemingly endless black hole."

Cllr F John Smith blamed what he called "a mindless minority" for the damage.

He said: "It will be a tragedy if this equipment is damaged any further, we are facing a very serious situation.

"The council already faces a very difficult financial situation and does not have a bottomless pit to keep repairing equipment damaged within weeks."

In other news...

- The Coombes Hole underpass got the official go-ahead from the Hertfordshire County Council planning committee. County Councillor Doug Drake described the final design as a "jolly good one".

- A shocked OAP received a monthly electricity bill for �1,000. Gilbert Tofts was amazed to receive the demand from supplie Eon. A spokesman for the firm said it was caused by an administrative error.

- Royston Town Football Club were crowned South Midlands League Division One Champions after beating Bedford 5-0.