Play park equipment burnt to the ground

The remains of the damaged play equipment. Most of the metal slide is lying on the ground. Seven metal supports remain upright but the equipment is unusable. The rubber protective mat surrounding the slide has melted. Trees and shrubs stand behind the equipment in the park.Durham Police

The slide at South Moor Memorial Park in Stanley was set alight on Saturday night

Jonny Manning
BBC News, North East and Cumbria

Children's play equipment has been destroyed in a fire, sparking a police investigation.

The blaze was started in the play area at South Moor Memorial Park in Stanley, County Durham, at about 21:00 GMT on Saturday.

Pictures of the damage showed a metal slide and climbing equipment destroyed and the protective rubber flooring around it melted.

A spokesperson for Durham Police said the fire caused "extensive damage" to the equipment "leaving it entirely unusable" by children in the community.

"This is a mindless crime and one which has caused a great deal of upset and understandable furore with local residents," they added.

The force has launched an appeal for information and is asking anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward.

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