Len Harris examines a damaged tree

Councillor Harris visited the complex this weekend to check on progress and was pleased to see the paddling pool and tennis centre very busy and large numbers of children singing inside the building. However, his heart sank when he saw evidence of a wrecking spree the previous evening. Amongst scattered beer cans and cigarette packets, young trees had been bent right over and snapped.

The trees were located right outside the main Hangar Farm building, in full view of CCTV cameras. The shocked Councillor, who is Chairman of the Town Council Amenities Committee, will be asking for video evidence to be reviewed and the culprits identified. He said, "Hangar Farm is one of the most important facilities in the area, designed with and for young people. A lot of the trees in the area were planted with the help of young people. Once again, a small minority of them have ruined things for the majority"

Lib Dem controlled Totton Town Council has recently agreed to part-fund the cost of employing two new community safety officers to patrol Totton. It is hoped that the presence of community safety officers will deter anti-social behaviour and vandalism.