By Conor Sharkey

PARENTS have been urged to keep an eye on their children, after a community project was attacked close to Melvin Park at the weekend.

Several polytunnels which house a vegetable garden behind the Cairde Ex-Prisoners Centre in Strabane were damaged during the attack, believed to have been carried out on Sunday.

The project, aimed at educating people on growing their own fruit and vegatables has been in existence for the past two years.

It is hoped it will be extended to land on the Ballycolman Estate over the coming months.

Council chairman Jarlath McNulty said project co-ordinators would be asking for compensation from parents if the young perpetrators could be identified.

"Initially there was a fair bit of anger at the damage caused. The tunnels have been in place for two years and after all this time we will have to look at upping our security.

"What I would ask is that parents keep a close on their children.

"Those involved were probably very young but if they can be identified, we will be asking for money for the repairs.

"At the end of the day someone has to pay and I don't see why it should be us.

"This is a gret project and a lot of people give a lot of time and effort over to keeping it going so I would ask that it is left alone," Mr McNulty said.