VANDALS have caused about £1,000 of damage to toilets at one of Hampshire’s most popular country parks.

Hooligans targeted the main male toilets at the 200-acre Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, smashing a urinal, a sink and some of the soap dispensers.

One of the hand-dryers was ripped off the wall and a light sensor was also damaged.

The incident sparked fears the toilets might be out of action for some time but they reopened on Saturday and the rest of the repairs are due to be completed later this week.

Park manager Phil Halliwell described the incident as “mindless vandalism”.

He added: “We’ve had a spate of small-scale vandalism but this is probably the worst episode for a while.

“It was done quite brazenly in front of the public – there were dog walkers here at the time.”

Police were called to the park following reports that four youths were wrecking the toilets, but arrived to find the hooligans had already dispersed.

Cllr David Airey, who represents Hamble and Netley, said: “There have been phases of quite serious vandalism at the country park in recent times but I thought it had stopped.

“Something like this beggars belief. You can’t understand what people get out of it.”

Two years ago a D-Day memorial at the park was defaced by vandals who covered the stone tribute with writing and drawings.

Cllr Malcolm Cross said: “There were problems down there for a long time, then it started to get better. We’ve had issues with people burning seats and fly-tipping in the area.”

The waterfront site, formerly home to the Royal Victoria Hospital, was bought by Hampshire County Council in 1969 and opened to the public the following year.

All that remains of the hospital is the chapel, which recently reopened after a multi-million-pound facelift.

Anyone with information about the latest vandalism should call Hampshire police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44180357480.