A group of youths have placed the lives of other youngsters playing in Cross Roads Park in danger, according to a parish councillor.

Councillor Ian Shackleton, a Cross Roads representative on Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council, has blamed Haworth youths for the problem.

Cllr Shackleton said the episode started two weeks ago when a group of youths held a game of rounders on the bowling green.

The next day the bowling club erected a Bowling Only sign. The sign was removed by the youths and used to remove an 8ft long top stone from a short flight of steps by the green.

He said: "What concerns me most is not the mindless attitude of the idiots who committed the act, but the couldn't care less attitude of Bradford Council.

"It is obvious to anyone who looked at the position of the top stone that if it was to slip, it could have easily crushed a small child."

He added that teenagers took it upon themselves to make the stairs safe.

A Bradford Council Parks and Landscape spokesman said on Wednesday: "We received a report last week that some stone steps in Cross Roads had been damaged.

"The loose stones were made safe at the weekend and a workman is on site today to complete the repairs.

"We would encourage anyone who has information about recent vandalism in the park to contact the park rangers on 01274 432696."

Cllr Shackleton was also appalled by the current state of the park. "At present, the park is nothing short of disgraceful," he said. "While the park is currently being targeted by vandals, a more serious problem is the neglect the area is suffering due to lack of proper maintenance by Bradford Council."

But following a recent conversation with Mel Smith, of the leisure and recreation department, his spirits had been raised.

He said: "Mel Smith is willing to meet with me in a couple of weeks to discuss the concerns and issues I have raised with him.

"This is positive news. I welcome this dialogue and hope that we can establish a way forward from here for the good of the children who respect and use the facilities in Cross Roads Park."