A play area has finally been opened in defiance of vandals who dogged its development.

Viking Road Park in Acomb, which was dogged by continuous vandalism during its construction earlier this year, was officially opened by Acomb councillor David Horton during a ceremony last Wednesday.

As The Press reported earlier in the year, vandals caused hundreds of pounds of damage to the new £52,000 playground.

The plans for the new park had been put in place back in the autumn, when designs by children from Carr Junior School, in Acomb, were put to the vote at a special exhibition held by the school.

In the first few months of this year the park began to be constructed, but was constantly being damaged by yobs, who ripped off safety bars from the new equipment and damaged safety matting on the ground.

By April the school council decided it had to act and gained the backing of the local community to finish the park and defy the vandals.

Since then the vandalism has ceased, possibly helped by wider awareness of the issue in the area, and the play area could finally be completed.

The children celebrated by holding an inter-house football tournament, where the pupils acted as managers and organised the teams.

The matches were refereed by local police community support officers, and the prize was the honour of being the first new children to use the play equipment. Head teacher Caroline Ryder said: “I am very proud of the children and am pleased that the community has supported us in this way. I hope the park continues to be used for the benefit of all, especially over the summer.”