A community worker has called on young people who vandalised a park named after the youngest victim of the Shankill bombing to have a "bit of respect".

Seven-year-old Michelle Baird died alongside her parents Michael 'Minnie' Morrison and Evelyn Baird in the IRA bomb in 1993. Six other people, as well as one of the IRA bombers, were also killed.

The Michelle Baird Memorial Park in Glencairn in Belfast has now had to close due to ongoing vandalism from young people riding e-bikes and setting off fireworks.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was aware of concerns around anti-social behaviour in the Glencairn area of the city.

Jennifer Taylor is the chair of the Glencairn Community Project and said such vandalism damaged the work they are trying to do, such as building a new community centre and working with young people in the area.

"The play park was brought about in memory of Michelle Baird who was very tragically killed in the Shankill bombing.

"So it's a very poignant park, her family still live in the estate and it's obviously dedicated to her memory and as such it's a respectful place where people can go," Taylor told BBC News NI.

"My message would be to think twice about, first of all buying fireworks, but also remember if you're going to do that we can't stop you, but this is a park in memory of a dead child so please have a wee bit of respect and remember where you are."

Taylor said young people set off fireworks at the weekend that caused a small hole in the ground.

"The council taped off the gates and unfortunately the next evening the kids in the area and from outside the area came in on bikes and ripped the tape off, went into the park and then were driving around with more fireworks and with their bikes and pulled up the rest."

She said this has resulted in the park now being chained closed and "there's thousands and thousands of pounds worth of damage done".

"Which means it closes spaces down for the children of this area and we have little resources in this part as it is without losing any more."

Taylor has also called on the PSNI to "do a bit more in terms of the sale of illegal fireworks to kids as young as eight years of age".

"They're coming from far and wide to this estate to buy them and the police have been informed several times and nothing has been done to date."

The PSNI said it was aware of concerns about the sale and use of illegal fireworks.

"Our officers conducted a recent search at a property in the area and a number of fireworks were seized.

"Fireworks can be dangerous and can cause fear and distress within our communities.

"I would like to reassure the local community that we are working to address this issue, and members of the public can expect to see our officers on patrol in the local area as the dark nights approach."

A Belfast City Council spokesperson said they are aware of damage to the play surface which they "understand has been caused by fireworks".

"The affected area has been closed while the damage is assessed and arrangements for the necessary repairs are made.

"At this stage, we are not in a position to confirm how long the closure will last or the cost of the repairs."

North Belfast MLA Brian Kingston described the vandalism as "disgraceful" and "extremely disappointing".

"This has resulted in a much-needed play park being closed and it's all the more disappointing given that the park is named after Michelle Baird, a local girl who was killed in the Shankill bomb along with her parents," he told BBC News NI.

He said it may be the case that some young people aren't aware of all that history, but it is an "extra cause of distress" for those who are.

He said the park had not been respected and was "valued very much by the local community".

"Vandalism can occur anywhere, but I would just urge young people to remember that this park is particularly held dear by the local community and it is disgraceful that some young people have disrespected it and carried out this damage and just resulted in the play park being closed for other children to enjoy.

"But they've also disrespected the memory of Michelle Baird and I just appeal for them to see sense and for there to be no more acts of vandalism."

The victims of the Shankill bombing included John Frizzell, 63, who owned the fish shop. His daughter Sharon McBride, 29, was helping her father and was also killed.

Michael 'Minnie' Morrison, 27, his partner Evelyn Baird, 27, and their daughter, Michelle, who was seven, also died. Their two other children were left parentless.

George Williamson, 63, and Gillian Williamson, 49, were out shopping when they were both killed in the blast, leaving behind two children.

Michelle Baird died alongside her parents. She was seven years old

Wilma McKee, 38, was walking past the shop when the bomb went off. She died a day later from her injuries.

Leanne Murray who was 13 years old was also killed.

Her mother, Gina, later realised that IRA bomber Sean Kelly had pleaded for her help after the explosion.