Primary school pupils have launched a campaign to clean up a park which was left covered in broken glass, graffiti and litter.

Pupils at Spring Meadow Primary School, in Pound Farm Drive, Dovercourt, were so concerned by what they saw at the park, which is behind Ray Avenue, Dovercourt, that they wrote letters to their local MP, Douglas Carswell, Harwich police and the Gazette to see what could be done.

One of the children wrote: "I am writing to tell you that Mace park is being destroyed by vandals.

"There is graffiti on the park equipment, dog mess, glass and litter.

"We have two year five classes very concerned about our local park - there is uneven ground under the equipment, this is making the park unsafe for young children."

Anne Tyrrell, a year five teacher, said the children had gone to the park as part of their lessons to see how they could encourage others to use it. They were shocked to discover the damage.

Mr Carswell said he would be writing back to the pupils and taking up their offer of visiting the school and the park, to see first-hand what the problem is.

Nigel Brown, spokesman for Tendring Council, said the pupils had alerted their local PCSO to the problem at the park, who had contacted the council.

"The council will ensure that the litter and rubbish is cleared, and that the graffiti is removed from the slide in the next few days," he said.

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