RESIDENTS are being urged to be vigilant and report acts of vandalism after an abandoned van was torched at a showpiece Chandler's Ford recreation ground.

The incident, which is being investigated by police, is the latest in a wave of antisocial behaviour to have centred on the popular Hiltingbury Recreation Ground.

The 15-acre playing fields are getting a major makeover in a £1.5 million package which will provide a complete new range of facilities and pitches.

The council is expecting to hear soon whether it will be awarded a lottery grant which will pave the way for major improvements to the pavilion.

Earlier this year, booze-fuelled yobs went on a wrecking spree just weeks after a state-of-the-art skateboard park had been opened.

Freshly-planted trees were torn apart and fires were started beneath a new shelter.

Then local councillors called for the council to appoint neighbourhood wardens to crack down on the hooligans, who are threatening the plans to turn the area into a recreational haven.

Local councillor Colin Davidovitz pointed out that neighbouring Test Valley Council had succeeded in getting teenage disorderly behaviour under control by employing neighbourhood wardens.

Commenting on the latest outbreak of anti-social behaviour, Cllr Davidovitz said: "This is another example of a small number of people causing mischief."

He said he would still like to see the council pursuing the idea of appointing neighbourhood wardens to help crackdown on the problem.

Councillor Godfrey Olson, chairman of the Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee, said they had been having meetings with the new police beat officers covering the area.

He said: "They are making a special effort to reduce the amount of vandalism."

Cllr Olson said the vandalism, including damage to trees and seats, was a costly business and he hoped the police would be able to collar the culprits.

Appealing to residents, he said: "Any incident should be reported to the police by ringing 08450454545."