THE first two playgrounds have opened as part of Castle Point's £1.3million playground revamp - and vandals wasted no time leaving their mark.

Yobs sprayed graffiti and smashed glass at the parks in Leigh Beck, Canvey, and Brook Road, Benfleet.

Each park was treated to a £100,000 spruce up.

Council project manager Steve Crowther said: "The graffiti was abusive and obscene and there was lots of broken glass.

"As usual it was a case of the minority spoiling it for the majority."

The vandalism was quickly cleaned up and yesterday afternoon parents and children were enjoying themselves at Brook Road.

Mum Nina Eglinton, 25, of London Road, Benfleet, was out with her three-year-old son Vinnie.

She said: "It's really good and he likes it.

"Before it was a very basic playground, but now there is stuff for children of all ages and there are disabled facilities too."

The park has two sets of swings, including one which has a specially-adapted chair for disabled children.

As well as the traditional climbing frame with a slide and see-saw there are some more unusual pieces including a rope swing and a skateboard rail for older children.

Daniel O'Mahony, seven, from Benfleet, added: "The old one didn't have much, but this one has things that swing and move.

"I don't think we can get bored with it."

The finishing touches, including a perimeter fence, will be added in the near future.

Mr Crowther said: "It is not quite finished, but there was no health and safety reason why it could not be opened so we decided to go for it."

Meanwhile, consultation on planned playgrounds at King George V playing fields, the Waterside play area, both on Canvey, and Woodside play area in Benfleet, closed on Sunday.

Peter Burch, Castle Point's cabinet member for recreation, parks and open spaces, said: "The new playgrounds look fantastic and children seem to love them.

"We have just finished consulting on the designs for the next three playgrounds, so hopefully we will have five new playgrounds ready for use by the end of the year."