Moira Furnace and Country Park has reported extensive damage caused to its storytelling area - just days after an incident involving people swimming out to steal items from their 100-year-old barge.

Furnace officials say a group of children was spotted and reported to a volunteer.

But it was later discovered that one of the mushroom seats had been ripped off and fencing had been pulled down.

A volunteer said he had earlier received a report from a member of the public that the children had allegedly been seen smoking what was thought to be an illegal substance.

It follows on from the Furnace making it known earlier this week that people had been swimming out to their historic canal barge The Joseph Wilkes Furnace officials hit out at swimmers causing damage historic boat

The Operations Supervisor Tom Phillips told Ashby Nub News: "We are having to use a day of volunteer time to repair the latest damager.

"But we have public footpaths criss-crossing through the woodlands area, so if anyone wants to get on to the site we can't stop them.

"We would ask whether the parents know where their children are in the evenings. We have reported it to the police."

Visitors to the attraction have been urged to report any anti-social behaviour to the police.

The Furnace's Facebook page posted the following message on Wednesday: "Last night, around 5pm, there was a report of around seven children aged around 12 years old, sat around our beautiful storytelling area, smoking cannabis.

"This in itself, with the age of the children, is a big enough concern, but it was what happened next that was the worse thing.

"The eye witness reported this to our volunteer who locks the car parks at night.

"They were asked if they had reported it to the police but they did not want to as they had been seen by the group, which we understand.

"However, as this wasn't reported, the events of the night clearly escalated resulting in the saddening images you see here.

"One of our mushroom seats has been ripped off and the red fencing has been pulled over, bent and the welding snapped. The litter was also very bad.

"This follows on from extensive issues and damage with youths swimming to the boat as well as issues with motorbikes and mopeds on site.

"We have reported it to the police but we need you all to report anything suspicious or illegal.

"The way the system works is the police will only increase their response when they receive a high enough number of reports.

"We are looking to the large majority of people who use the site respectfully to help us out here and ring the police on 101. You can remain anonymous and even do it online!

"Together we are stronger.

"The volunteers will be working hard to repair the damage today and we hope to bring you good news soon rather than this depressing bad news."