A community group has been left "devastated" after yobs vandalised a park in Weymouth causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Radipole Park and Gardens was targeted at the weekend by vandals who destroyed a notice board and pulled out a metal plant climbing frame from the Princess Diana flower bed.

The shocking incident is thought to have happened sometime on Saturday night, and has been reported to Dorset Police.

Sue Hogben, of the Friends of Radipole Park and Gardens – which works with the borough council to improve and protect the park – said: "To say that we're devastated is the understatement of the year.

"We work hard to raise funds to make improvements for the whole community who use these gardens to be able to enjoy them and those events we hold in them.

"To replace these boards will take a large chunk of our funds, which also means hundreds of pounds raised from last year's events will have to be used to replace them instead of going into the pot for our sensory garden."

The Friends are a group of dedicated volunteers who have organised many fundraising events to help improve the park for the community. They are currently working towards building a new sensory garden at the start of the Willow grove near the Radipole Gardens entrance, which would be fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Mrs Hogben continued: "Though we as the Friends group are upset and angry, we will not let this deter us from continuing to fund raise to improve these beautiful gardens."

The parks section of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council work with the Friends in the development and management of the gardens.

Graham Duggan, the borough council's head of community protection, said: "It is disappointing to have had this mindless vandalism take place.

"We are working on clearing the affected areas and restoring the park into top condition for all residents and visitors to enjoy.

"If anyone has any information on this incident, please call the police on 101."