A DAD fears a new playground will soon become a no-go area for young children because of yobs.

Gary McKenna lives on Danesfield, Benfleet, close to the park in Brook Road, which reopened last week following a £100,000 refit.

But within hours of the re-launch, louts smashed glass in the area and sprayed graffiti.

Mr McKenna, 40, took his 22-month-old son Louie there and was disgusted with what he found.

He said: "It struck me that while a superb play area for young children had been constructed, no attention was paid to securing this play area.

"There is a constant stream of teenagers who frequent the park at night-time, drink alcohol and then discard their rubbish."

A 1.2m-high fence is due to be put up round the site today.

But Mr McKenna, who works as a health and safety manager, does not think this will keep the troublemakers at bay.

He said: "It will become a no-go area for mothers and fathers who want to let their toddlers run around in a clean and safe environment."

But project manager Steve Crowther, who is overseeing Castle Point's £1.3million playground renewal scheme, said it was not council policy to have a high fence.

He said: "It is not designed to be vandal proof.

"The idea is to have it accessible when anyone wants to go over there."

He said the park was checked and cleaned up between 9am and 10am every day.

He also urged park users who notice a problem that is dangerous or unacceptable to contact the council's litter hotline on 01268 792792.

Police spokesman Alan Johnson said: "We are aware of the youth nuisance problem in the park and the vicinity and have stepped up patrols."