Play scheme bosses have warned of a summer spree of vandalism after a cash shortfall cut the number of days they will run.

Bradford Council cash for the estimated 115 schemes across the city remained the same as last year at about £70,000, despite an increase of about ten groups wanting the money.

While more groups have been helped, the pot has been divided further and existing schemes have to cope with less.

Malcolm Walters, the manager of the Odsal Community Project in Crawford Avenue, predicted a spate of estate vandalism as bored children looked for illicit fun.

He said: "These decisions don't seem to be based on the real world. Our grant has been cut from £1,500 to £600 and whereas we had been planning to open for two weeks, we'll struggle to manage three days now.

"There will be problems this summer. The scheme went well last year with about 150 young people joining. Where are they going to go now?"

The Holme Wood Activity Centre did not apply for council money as it was given money from Children in Need.

Centre treasurer Chas Lawson said: "We should be able to open for two weeks this summer instead of the normal one.

"We want to be open for longer because there's nothing for them and it means some will turn to vandalism, drugs and cheap European alcohol."

Bradford Council had been hoping for a windfall from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund but lost out. John Breen, area panels co-ordinator for Bradford south, said: "If the money was there we would give it to them. But the pool for my area was £16,650, the same as last year, and we had six more applicants."

The money came from the housing, youth and area awards panel departments. Councillor Barry Thorne, on the leisure services committee at the time, said money for the schemes had decreased.

He said: "There is a link between lack of summer play schemes and vandalism, but there was no more money to fund the projects."

Inspector Brian Langford, from the community safety team at Toller Lane police, said: "If communities feel there is a gap in provision in their area they can contact us and we will assist all we can."

Labour Odsal ward councillor Dave Green said Council statistics showed that for every pound spent, £2 was saved on repair costs through vandalism.

He said Odsal Community centre's cut from £1,500 to £600 was a false economy and appealed to the Council's leadership to restore the funding next summer.

e-mail: kanchan.dutt @bradford.newsquest.co.uk