GIRLS as young as 12 have been found sleeping rough under equipment at Blandford skate park.

Civic chiefs have spoken of their horror after the town council's grounds and properties manager John Smith revealed details of the shocking early morning discovery.

Cllr Haydn White, vice chairman of the council's recreation and amenities committee, said: "I think we were all too stunned by the revelation contained in the manager's report to talk about it at Monday night's meeting.

"It came as a total surprise to me - I'd no idea this sort of thing was going on at the skate park. I hope social services have been informed that young girls have been sleeping out all night at the park.

"Although we didn't discuss it at our meeting because we were so flabbergasted, I'm sure other councillors share my concerns and would like the issue to be raised in the future," he said.

Committee chairman Cllr Lynn Lindsay said: "We were all shocked by the contents of the grounds and properties manager's report. Obviously it is an area of concern when any kids are found sleeping rough, particularly young girls. It was the first I'd heard of it."

Blandford mayor, Cllr Esme Butler, said: "We were all concerned by what we heard. It is worrying that these girls' parents were unaware of where their children were that night."

But the town clerk Patricia Munro dismissed the 7am discovery on a Sunday last month as "a one-off". She said: "It's the first time something like this has happened at the skate park.

"The girls were found when maintenance staff went there as part of their daily clean-up operation. They were asked to move. There is nothing else to say about the matter and we don't plan to do anything about it because it was some time ago and is not happening regularly."

A county council spokesman said: "We were not informed of this incident at the time it occurred but would have concerns for any young people found in similar circumstances. Our advice would be for members of the public to contact the police in the first instance as they are often in the best position to take immediate action to safeguard the wellbeing of children found in this type of situation."

The Daily Echo revealed earlier this month how the skate park had been closed because vandalism had made it too dangerous to use. Cllr Butler revealed on Tuesday that repairs are due to start next week. The council is offering a reward for information leading to prosecution after a heavy steel railing was ripped up.

First published: October 27