Newly installed play equipment in Oldham has been damaged by 'moronic' vandals.

Less than two months ago the Firwood and District Residents’ Association installed new musical play equipment in a green space between partridge Way and Laurel Avenue.

The new equipment was installed in the green space situated between the canal and allotments behind Mills Hill Primary School on the morning of Friday, January 17.

Now, the sticks required to play the musical equipment have been taken.

It also appears that the rope used to tether the sticks to each wooden post was burned through.

Resident Wes Marchant, who discovered the vandalism on the morning of Wednesday, March 8, called the vandalism ‘moronic behaviour.’

Graham Taylor, 76, is part of the Firwood and District Residents’ Association – which worked to get National Lottery funding for the instruments.

The Oldham Times: Five-year-old Isla Wolfendale playing with the instrument before it was brokenFive-year-old Isla Wolfendale playing with the instrument before it was broken (Image: Graham Taylor)

The funding was provided as part of a Platinum Jubilee community projects fund, which also provided a nature trail and a tree in the area.

Children could already be seen using the new equipment shortly after it was installed.

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Graham went to investigate the vandalism following reports on Facebook – and found that the string keeping the sticks attached had been burned, rather than cut off with a knife as he previously feared.

The Oldham Times: The sticks used to play the equipment have been stolen after rope keeping them attached was burnedThe sticks used to play the equipment have been stolen after rope keeping them attached was burned (Image: Graham Taylor)

Graham said: “To be honest, the FADRA committee is really disappointed that our new musical chimes have been targeted in this way.

“The original beaters went missing initially, and we put that down to children having a bit of fun without any malicious intent.

“So, it's onto Plan C now with a new method of fixing new wooden beaters to each musical chimes.

The Oldham Times: 'Plan C''Plan C' (Image: Graham Taylor)

“Hopefully, a metal chain will provide a more permanent solution to this mindless vandalism.”