A children's paddling pool in Stourport has been forced to close just days after it was targeted by heartless vandals.

Stourport Town Council said Riverside Paddling Pool would be closed for cleaning due to a health and safety incident. 

The team has also issued a plea to parents to ensure their children wear swim nappies if they are not toilet trained. 

A spokesperson for Stourport Town Council said: "Unfortunately we have had to close the Riverside Paddling Pool for cleaning due to health and safety reasons.

"Please help us keep the pool clean and safe (and open) by following the safety tips and advice.

"If your child is not toilet trained, they should be wearing a swim nappy. Thank you."

The news comes just a day after the pool had reopened following a police incident where it was damaged by vandals. 

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We received a report around 7pm on Friday evening (21 June) with a report of anti-social behaviour at Riverside paddling pool in Stourport.

"Officers attended the address but unfortunately the suspects could not be located."

The team had been working hard to get the popular attraction reopened before it was damaged on Friday night after the pool had been closed at the end of last month due to "technical issues". 

The latest closure will be a blow for the town council as contractors had worked tirelessly to get it back up and running yesterday (Sunday, June 23). 

Following the vandalism, a spokesperson for Stourport Town Council said: "We are sorry to report that the Riverside paddling pool is still out of action.

"We did have to report an incident last night to the police which hasn’t helped with the opening of the pool but we are in contact with our contractors to get it open as soon as we can."

Following the health and safety incident today, the team hopes the pool can be reopened as soon as possible after cleaning and safety checks have been carried out.