Thieves have removed a ton of wood chippings designed to stop children from injuring themselves in a playground.

It is thought the crooks turned up at the park in the middle of the day and loaded the chippings onto the back of a truck.

The bizarre crime has left the local council with a £300 replacement bill and furious parents say they are determined to catch the thieves.

One said: "It is absolutely unbelievable they would ruin the kids' fun just to make a few quid.

"We're all determined to find out who did this and make sure they are punished."

Newhaven Town Council groundsman Peter Shew was among the first to spot the chippings had been stolen.

He arrived at Denton recreation ground, Denton Road, just outside Newhaven, to discover the floor of the park, which is full of swings, slides and other play equipment, was bare.

The chippings are used to cushion children landing on the floor.

The town council's clerk, Ian Everest, said: "It's quite unbelievable really.

"We think they must have just turned up in the middle of the day and taken them while plenty of people were about.

"I'm sure if they were challenged they would have just said they were working for the council.

"They probably would have looked more suspicious in the middle of the night to be honest."

Mr Everest said the chippings are likely to be replaced in the next few days.

Meanwhile the park has remained open. The theft is thought to be the first of its type.

There have been numerous reports of copper piping, metal roofing and other items taken from public places in recent weeks, as commodity prices sent the value of such items soaring.

However Mr Everest reckons it may be the first time wood chippings have been stolen.

He said: "It's probably a first for the country.

"We think they've either been taken by somebody who wants them for their garden or by workmen who are doing up a garden.

"I'm sure they are lining somebody's back garden right now."

Police in Newhaven have now launched an investigation to try and trace the thieves.

They hope people on the park at the time of the theft will come forward with descriptions or other information.

The town council believes they were taken on Saturday.

Anyone who saw anything or who has been offered quantities of wood chippings in recent days is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.