VANDALS left broken glass in an Eastleigh paddling pool used by scores of youngsters.

Dozens of alcopop bottles were shattered in the water of the outdoor pool at Fleming Park Leisure Centre. Staff only realised what had happened after one girl cut herself as she played in the shallow end.

The pool was immediately closed down for a day while the glass was cleared up.

The vandals have since struck again at the Passfield Avenue complex.

Yobs smashed one of the large leisure centre windows on Saturday night causing £1,500 damage. It delayed the main pool from opening on Sunday while staff vacuumed the water for ricocheted glass.

An ice cream kiosk in the play park was also littered with graffiti and had its doors kicked and damaged.

A skateboarding ramp has also been wrecked beyond use. The council is reviewing whether or not to repair it.

The attacks have been condemned by leisure chiefs. Centre manager Julia Birt, of DC Leisure, which manages the centre on behalf of Eastleigh council, told the Daily Echo that the incidents were an ongoing problem, but that they had reached a peak during the past week.

She said: "The vandalism comes in waves but it has certainly heightened over the summer.

"It's a difficult one for us. We check the pool and park daily to make sure they are safe. Both the pools are back open now.

"All we can do is inform the police and also ask other people to be aware and report anything they see.

"We are pressing for an alcohol glass ban which would mean that if any youngsters came into the park with alcopops, they would have them confiscated - but we need to find out more about what it would entail."

Councillor Alan Broadhurst, executive councillor for leisure, said: "The borough council and DC Leisure are spending up to £2m on improving sports and leisure facilities at Fleming Park over the next two years.

"A very small minority of people who have no respect for their community are putting this at risk.

"We will be working with the police to identify the culprits. These actions are causing injury to young people and we would ask anybody who has any information to report them to the police or civic offices straight away."

A spokesman for Eastleigh police said: "The increased incidents are receiving our urgent attention. "We want this to be an enjoyable place for people to visit and will be working with the relevant authorities and agencies to achieve this."

Anyone with information should contact 0845 045 4545 or the anonymous crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.