DOG walkers are 'fed up' with vandals who regularly damage parts of Blackburn's Corporation Park, it was claimed today.

A recent spate of attacks has seen around 25 of the historic park's conservatory windows smashed.

Builders currently revamping the park have also had safety fences separating the public from the works bent and damaged.

The park has suffered damage during its recent history and today a local councillor said people should 'use and not abuse' the facility.

Now CCTV footage is being studied and additional security has been brought into stop any more attacks.

But a retired dog walker, who lives locally but asked not to be identified, said: "It has been going on for years but more so now they're doing all the work. It's such a shame.

"I would say these last three weeks it has been going on every night. It's only night time that it's being done, it's not during the day because there's always somebody there.

"I have got fed up of going in every morning and seeing all this vandalism."

The 18-hectare Corporation Park is registered with English Heritage as a Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest, and was opened in 1857.

Main features of the park include an archway at the main entrance off Preston New Road, a Victorian cast-iron conservatory -- now a grade two listed building -- and two lakes which originally served as a water supply for the town.

Work is being carried out on the park as part of a £3million plan. But Corporation Park has been blighted by vandalism before, culminating in £150,000 of damage being caused to the bowls house, at the centre of the park, following a fire in April 2003.

CCTV cameras have also been installed and police patrol the park as part of their beat.

Coun Arshid Mahmood, Labour representative for the Corporation Park ward, said: "I am aware of the problem and it's just a shame. We haven't had a problem in the park for a good while now, it has been fine and people have been using the park and haven't been afraid of going there.

"But lately someone has gone in and smashed the conservatory windows and things. The police are aware of it. Locally, we are trying our best to get people to use the park and not abuse it."

Steve Rigby, director of leisure for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The council are working with the police to catch those responsible. The police are currently studying CCTV footage of the incidents.

"We have also appointed additional security to monitor the park over coming weeks."