A children’s playground is to reopen after an £80k rebuild, nine months after it was destroyed by arsonists.

Beachfields Sandpit in Sheerness, Sheppey was set alight in December.

The park’s castle was destroyed with only the metal framework of the £50,000 structure remaining.

Diggers and workmen were also forced to bin large amounts of debris following the fire.

However, both Swale and Sheerness Town Council have joined forces to get a replacement castle at the site.

After closing on Thursday (September 7), it will reopen on September 23 with the new equipment fully installed.

In total the rebuild has cost £79,350.

A spokesman for Swale council said: “Children will soon be able to travel the high seas on the new play equipment at Beachfields.

“The castle previously at the play area was destroyed in a fire, but, after working with the local community and Sheerness Town Council, we will be installing a pirate ship.

“The new play equipment will include a zipline, slide and rope ladders, and will once again become an important centre for children to meet and play.”

The new play park, named the Man O’War unit, can be used by up to 50 children at a time, aged four and above, and includes space for parents and guardians to socialise.

The design was one of two options chosen following a public consultation. The other was a shipwreck, in a nod to the SS Montgomery bomb ship, which ran aground off the Sheppey coast.

The castle is made out of materials resistant to corrosion, vandalism and graffiti.

Cllr Angela Harrison says the reopening will be something “worth waiting for”.

The Labour representative for Sheerness added: “It has always been one of the most popular areas on the Island for children.

“They can play for hours at a site which is also free of course for parents.

“The consultation chose the best structure, so I believe it will be something worth waiting for once it reopens.

“With the sandpit and paddling pool there, I wish I were younger so I could go and play there again.”