IN PICTURES: Yobs ruin brand new playground in Cannock arson
Yobs destroyed brand new equipment at a children's playground in Cannock in a mindless arson attack.
The vandals struck at Cannock sports stadium, in Pye Green Road, on Saturday night - and now parents are keen to set up a fundraising campaign in a bid to get the damaged equipment replaced.
Firefighters from the town's station were called to the scene just after 10pm.
The new play area for toddlers and juniors - part of a £1.3 million investment - only opened in May.
Families in the area said they were shocked by the damage to the slide and climbing frame.
Pye Green Road resident Leroy Francis, 53, said: "I just think it's disgusting. The council spends a lot of money on facilities like this. It is a play area that is well used by families in the area.
"It's really popular and I think whoever is responsible for setting fire to it should be caught and dealt with appropriately by the police.
"They have tried to ruin a perfectly good park. I come here with my son Isaac regularly."
Another parent Shane Grice, 41, a manager also of Pye Green Road, said|: "The playground has only been here for five months. I can't believe someone could do this. They're just mindless idiots.
"My boys come over here quite often after school and at weekends. We didn't realise anything was wrong until my brother said people were talking about the fire on social media."
Parents are already talking about setting up a fundraising campaign to have the equipment replaced.
The design incorporated the mining history of the town and an athletics track. Children from surrounding schools had been invited to help with the design.
The whole investment included a multi-use games area, adventure play area, mountain bike trail, illuminated pathways and cycle trails, car parking, community allotments and the provision of trim trail exercise equipment.
The park is situated next to the SNAPS (Special Needs Adventure Playground) which was not affected by the blaze.
