Lives were "put at risk" when two beachgoers stole a life ring from a park lake.

The pair - with one wearing a swimming costume - brazenly walked off with the orange ring at Brooklands Park in Worthing, ignoring calls from bystanders to put it back.

Now the council is calling on anyone who knows the people responsible to contact the police - after it was found damaged on the beach.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: "We have contacted Sussex Police after someone removed a life ring from Brooklands park and left it damaged on the beach.

"When safety equipment like this is put out of use it puts lives at risk until we can replace it."

One person who spotted the pair stealing the equipment asked them to put it back - but was shut down when the pair responded with: "Well, we're going to the beach."

Sussex Police have been approached for comment.