The Endeavour Fun Club, based at Airy Hill School, has had a trampoline and basketball net worth £180 ruined.

Natalie Targay, manager of the voluntary organisation, said: “I am absolutely appalled someone would come and damage the equipment we worked so hard to get funding for.

“The children are absolutely gutted.

“We had only had the trampoline for one month and they loved it – they were on it every day.

“Now the nice weather is here and they can’t even go on it.

“We are all so upset and angry.

“All the police have said is just keep reporting it and they will send a police community support officer to patrol round here but I don’t think that’s good enough.”

The fun club has been running for 10 years and caters for children aged four to 11.

In addition to the vandalism, there have been other incidents such as glass being smashed and litter being left strewn around.

“The problems seem to be happening over the weekend,” said Mr Targay.

“We come in on a Monday and this is what we find.

“It is so disheartening for the children. They see the equipment as theirs and it takes us a long time to raise the money to buy these things.”

Mrs Targay felt the equipment had been targeted as it is too big to lock away and so is left out overnight and at weekends.

Sgt Ian Donald of Whitby police said: “I have spoken to Mrs Targay and have reassured her we have a high profile presence in that area.

“She told me she spent some time, up to 15 minutes, on hold while trying to get through to the control room.

“I will take this up with them as this is not acceptable.”