Arsonists have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage after setting fire to a seafront picnic bench.

The wooden seat at a picturesque spot on Sheerness Promenade, yards from Tesco, was spotted ablaze at about 1am last Friday.

One Sheppey fire crew spent 45 minutes at the scene, using flexipacks to extinguish the fire, which ruined the bench.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said the bench was completely destroyed and the fire was being treated as a deliberate act.

Swale council seafront officer Ian Arnell, who organised for beach furniture to be installed, is now appealing for information to help catch the culprits.

He said: “It really upsets me, I’ve got a limited budget and it’s taxpayers’ money that is being thrown away.

“You work to try and improve things and then this happens.

“It looks like it was kids messing around. At night it’s so dark there. It’s a prime place for anti-social behaviour.

“I would like to see more police patrols around there, but I understand they’ve got limited resources, too.”

Mr Arnell added it would cost about £800 to have the bench replaced.

A police spokesman said: “We are investigating an alleged arson in Sheerness.

“It is reported that a picnic bench was found burnt on the sea front, near Beach Street.”

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number XY/3710015. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555111.