For weeks the kids in Ballintoy Park were building a hut together - only to have it cruelly demolished by strangers in the New Year.

The hut, built with leftover materials from local builders, is believed to have been smashed to pieces with a sledgehammer.

Several new houses under construction were also tagged with spray-paint.

Resident Michelle Beaumont says it's quite disappointing but, through the power of social media, believes the community has come up with a solution.

The neighbours are all having a barbecue tonight at 5pm, and bringing their building materials to help resurrect the hut.

'One of the local builders has even put his hand up to help, so hopefully he comes along,” she laughs.

Such wanton destruction appears to increase during the school holidays, particularly over the summer break. Last week the Tay Street lifeguard tower was gratuitously wrecked by vandals, but in a similar outcome, received some help rebuilding from a member of the community.

Although the destruction of the hut was a shame, Michelle thinks you have to worry about the vandals in these situations too.

'You have to be more worried about the kids that have potentially done it, and how angry they have to be to do something like this.

'You've got to feel for them too.”

The hut before it was vandalised.