A play area has been closed after play equipment and some rubber safety matting were set alight.

Firefighters were sent to Rectory Road play area in Sittingbourne between 8.30pm and 9pm yesterday.

When they arrived, crews in one fire engine found the equipment alight.

It is thought the fire was started deliberately.

Earlier in the year, Swale council - which manages the play area - spent £57,000 on upgrading the equipment.

The improvements included two new sets of swings, a new toddler play unit with slides, a roundabout and a see-saw.

Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Tim Valentine (Green), said: "It's beyond belief that someone would deliberately damage equipment we've only recently installed, and this isn't even the first time.

"The people this hurts most are the children and young people who use the play area, and it's sad to think that this was most likely done by someone in the local community.

"Someone knows who did this, and if we want to make sure it doesn't happen again, I'd urge anyone with information to let the police know.

"We'll now be assessing the damage to work out what needs to be done to reopen the park and how much it will cost local taxpayers."

A police spokesman said officers are investigating a report of play equipment being set alight between 7pm and 11pm on Thursday.

Anyone with information can call police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/186282/19, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne