A ROUNDABOUT was damaged when arsonists set fire to a children’s playground.

The rubber surface on the ground at Station Park, in Winter Hey Lane, Horwich, was set on fire at 2.30am yesterday.

The flames spread to the nearby equipment and melted the plastic on the roundabout, leaving just the metal frame.

Firefighters from Horwich had to cut off a lock to get into the park and they spent 30 minutes tackling the fire.

Yesterday metal fencing had been put around the roundabout as it had been put out of action.

Parents using the park on the sunny day were angry that it had been vandalised.

Kiera Topham, aged 26, who was at the park with her daughter Paige, aged two, said: “Unfortunately you expect something like this to happen at some point.

“My son, Braydon, aged five, likes playing on the roundabout when I bring him.

“There is graffiti as well, it is awful. Especially when the children are school age, they can read it.”

Katy Mee, aged 26, added: “It is disgusting. These vandals should find something better to do with their time.

“This park isn’t often vandalised and such action lets the community down.

“This park is for small children and this is ruining their fun. It is the only park around here .”

Winston Fox, aged 43, was with his grandson Darley, aged one.

He said: “It is ridiculous. It is for the young children. They really enjoy playing in the park and it is a shame. It is just random destructiveness.”

The incident has been reported to the police.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “The damage has been fenced off and the area has been made safe.

“We are looking into the cost, so hopefully it can be replaced soon.”