An £80k rebuild of a children’s playground has finally been completed after it was burned to the ground by arsonists.

The climbing frame castle, which was torched by vandals at the Beachfields Sandpit in Sheerness, has now been replaced by a pirate ship for youngsters to play onboard.

Last December’s blaze left nothing behind but the metal framework of the £50,000 structure, and what was left had to be binned, with workmen using diggers to clear the place up.

However, earlier this month both Swale and Sheerness Town Council announced they’d joined forces to replace the play area.

The sandpit closed on Thursday, September 7, and was due to reopen on September 23, with the new equipment fully installed after a £79,350 rebuild.

However, due to last month’s warmer weather there were delays when the heatwave caused problems with the pouring of the foundation.

The colourful and bespoke designed Man O’ War multi-activity unit includes a zipline, slide, fireman’s pole, and rope ladders.

It has been built to last, being made of durable weatherproof materials created from recycled plastic.

Designed for four to 12-year-olds, it can safely accommodate up to 50 children at a time.

Cllr Elliott Jayes, vice chairman of the council’s community committee, said: “It was heartbreaking to see the previous play equipment burnt down – it was loved by the community and has been sorely missed.

“We decided to build this new pirate ship for the children of Sheerness to enjoy and to fill the empty space sadly left in Beachfields by the blaze.

“This is a crucial investment in our leisure infrastructure and can’t wait to see the happy faces of those using the facilities.”

The council contracted Kompan to build the equipment at a cost of just under £80,000 as part of ongoing efforts to improve leisure infrastructure on the Isle of Sheppey.

Cllr Dolley Wooster, of Sheerness Town Council, said: “We wanted to provide an amazing replacement to the previous equipment and knew this would require extra funding.

“That is why we teamed up with Swale Borough Council to jointly pay for this new play area.

“We know this equipment will be a wonderful place for the community to meet and for children to socialise and get active.”

The hunt for the arsonists continues.