‘SELFISH’ thieves stole more than �3,000 worth of village play equipment before tossing it in the river – just weeks after it was installed.

The ropeway at Congresbury’s Millennium Green, which features a set of monkey rings and a traverse net, was taken in mid-July.

Just days later another section of ropes was stolen from the new made-to-measure �12,000 play area.

The parish council, Congresbury Millennium Green Trust, North Somerset Council and the company which installed the equipment, Touchwood, have united to condemn the actions of those responsible.

Parish council clerk, Jo Duffy said: “The theft appears to have been carried out by people who came equipped with tools to remove the fixing mechanisms.

“We were all horrified that this has happened.

“There was then just one ropeway section left so the decision was made to take it down and store it away until a theft-proof mechanism can be found to enable us to put it up again.

“During the short space of time the equipment was up the young people were getting a lot of enjoyment out of the ropeway and sadly some selfish individual has spoiled this by stealing it.”

The play equipment, at the Kenn Road site, was made specially for the copse on the Millennium Green and cost more than �3,000 to install.

The community had lost all hope of locating the items until a member of the public spotted the equipment in the River Yeo this week.

It is due to be fished out as soon as possible and village leaders hope it can be restored.

The police have taken away evidence for fingerprinting and it is hoped a more accurate time for the theft can be established in order to review CCTV footage in the area.

The parish council and police are also asking for witnesses to come forward with any information.