The teens, most of whom attend Woodkirk High Specialist Science School, were appalled to find abusive scrawlings all over the play facilities last week – just days after it opened its gates after a costly refurbishment.

They decided to take matters into their own hands and 15 of them descended on the park at the weekend and cleaned up the vandalism as best they could.

Morley Police has already stepped up patrols in the area following reports of gangs drinking and littering the site last month before it opened.

Susan Varley, whose 18-year-old daughter Donna was one of those who got down to work, said she was proud of what they had done and thought it was about time Morley's teenagers got some good press for a change.

"You hear so much about gangs of kids doing bad stuff, I think it's important people get to hear about the good stuff they can do as well," she said.

"Some of it can still be seen and it will need the council to go and finish it off but they did the best they could and they worked really hard.

"They use the park a lot and they've promised the PCSOs that they'll help look after it and keep it clean. They were really upset with what had been written and they don't want this sort of thing happening to the park."

"It took us forever to get it all off, my hands were killing me when I got home," Donna said. "There were about nine of us down there cleaning it with stuff mum had at home."

Coun Chris Beverley (BNP, Morley South) said he was due to meet with police yesterday to discuss the problem of vandalism and graffiti in     Hembrigg.

"I have asked them to increase their patrols in this area and I know that they have had a degree of success but clearly more needs to be done to address this issue," he said. "I also believe that this strenthens the case for CCTV to be introduced in this park. I had already asked for this to be looked into by the parks and countryside department before this incident and I will be doing whatever I can to bring this forward."

Anyone with any information about the graffiti in Hembrigg Park should contact Morley neighbourhood police team on 2382035.