Vandals who have regularly trashed a pavilion in an Inverness park have been criticised by local community leaders.
The roof at the building in Inshes District Park has been damaged on several occasions and parts removed, while bits of glass are regularly strewn around the grass area, which is popular with children and dog walkers.
There has even been evidence that vandals have attempted to set the pavilion alight.
The structure was paid for out of community funds as part of the park project.
Inshes District Park was officially opened in August 2012 and was hailed as the first area of its kind to be made available in the city for a generation.
But yesterday Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans spoke of his “frustration” that the site had become a target for vandals.
He has now asked the police to step up patrols in the area in an attempt to curb the anti-social behaviour.
He said: “It’s been going on for several months. There has been very frequent vandalism at the park, especially since the pavillion was built.”
He said he raised the issue with Inverness area commander Chief Inspector Ian Graham at a meeting of the Inverness city committee last week in an attempt to get a greater police presence in the area.
But over the weekend further damage was caused to the pavilion’s roof.
He said: “In and of itself each incident is fairly minor but it’s really frustrating, especially for the community who put £12,000 towards this pavilion.
“There’s just no need for it at all, it’s completely mindless.”
The park was launched in August 2012 and covers 72 acres of southern Inverness.
The park was largely funded by contributions from housing developers, the Landfill Communities Fund and community groups.