A GRANDMOTHER has slammed the state of a Canvey park - after her five-year-old granddaughter used a slide covered in urine.

It has been claimed that teenagers have been gathering in the Larup Avenue open space in the evening, allegedly drinking despite being underage, and then urinating on the equipment deliberately ruining the playground for children.

Grandmother Jeanie, 54, demanded action is taken against the feral youths on Canvey who are running amok.

Adding to the issue, she said when she tried to use the King George V recreation park, in Blackthorne Road, the park was covered in broken alcohol bottles and litter.

Castle Point Council claimed “it is not responsible for the behaviour of teenagers using the park” but stated it will increase checks to deal with “cleanliness issues”.

Jeanie said: “I went to the park with my two grandkids and there was a man with his kids there, and he said straight away, don’t let them use the tunnel.

“He said that apparently children, probably teenagers, had been urinating in the tunnel. It is vile.

“My granddaughter used the little slide, and when she got up she was soaking wet.

“It was a sunny day, it hadn’t rained, I had to take her straight home to get changed. We thought we would try the King George park instead, but it was full of litter, broken bottles, it is not on.”

And the grandmother has insisted she will not be taking any youngsters to the park until the situation has been addressed.

Jeanie said: “It is a shame that the facilities are being completely ruined.

“This is not acceptable, but I do not totally blame the kids, there is not much for them to do on the island.

“What happened to youth clubs? Activities for teens? There is nothing anymore.

“In all honesty, I would like to see CCTV installed, it is the only way to prevent our parks being vandalised like this.

“Urinating in public is an offence, you would be arrested anywhere else, so why can teenagers do it in parks on Canvey?”

The council insisted checks are regularly undertaken, but would increase checks at Larup Avenue and King George V recreation ground.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council said: “Sadly we are not responsible for the behaviour of teenagers or others using the borough’s parks and open spaces.

“All we can do is ensure that parks and open spaces are maintained.

“This is undertaken regularly.

“In light of this complaint additional checks will be made to both the Larup play area and King George V recreation ground to deal with any litter or equipment cleanliness issues.” Youths have been causing significant problems on the island in recent months.