A £20,000 skateboard park is thought to have been targeted by someone with a grudge.

A concrete platform at the newly-opened Southwick skate park has been attacked with a sledgehammer, leaving it unusable.

People living near the purpose-built skate ramps heard loud banging sounds coming from Southwick rec, in Old Barn Way, on Wednesday at 10pm.

They alerted inspectors from Adur Watch who arrived to see two adults running away from the ramps.

Clive Bramble of Adur District Council said: "I hate to say it but it does appear that someone may have a grudge against the skateboarders using the park.

"It was definitely adults who ran away from the area rather than teenage vandals.

"The kids who have been using it think it's great and they have been looking after it.

"They used to meet in Southwick Square and cause all sorts of problems there. All that stopped when the skate park opened a few weeks ago.

"We have had the odd complaint about them using the rec but most people enjoy watching them.

"It will cost about £300 to repair the damage and the skateboarders say they will stay later to keep an eye on it in future."

money to pay for the skate park was provided by nine groups, including the council and Sussex Police.

The council plans to spend more money screening the site so graffiti is not so highly visible.

Sergeant Ian Cooke, of Shoreham police, said: "We spent a long time planning the skate park and the kids themselves were involved in raising money for the park.

"It has already brought benefit to the area by reducing the problems in Southwick Square.

"It is a great shame that somebody is trying to undo all the good work that has been achieved by this joined project."