“IF you abuse it, you will lose it” – that’s the message for Swanmore residents after a spate of arson and vandalism at a village skate park.

Swanmore Parish Council said that New Road Playing Field has been subject to “arson, graffiti and mindless destruction of fencing” over the last 18 months.

A council spokeswoman said that some young people thought if they damaged the facilities enough they would be replaced by the council.

She warned that this was financially out of the question and that residents who abused equipment would lose it permanently.