Play equipment in a children's park was delibrately set alight.

Residents say it is the latest in a series of fires started in the play area.

Farnworth Central Park slides and a roundabou was damaged in the blaze.

Mum-of-one, Stacey Leigh took her four-year-old daughter to the park but was left disappointed after seeing the damage and forced to drive elsewhere.

She said: “When we got to the park it was empty, which is unusual for the park as it’s normally quite busy.

“Slides had been set alight and disintegrated, the climbing frame my daughter ran to, had the ropes turned to ashes, and the roundabout wasn’t there.

The Bolton News:

“It’s a disgrace what’s happening and apparently, it’s happening weekly so the equipment is not being replaced.”

Stacey took her daughter to the same park only five days ago and says it was fine at the time.

Residents in the area said they had witnessed young people dragging wheelie bins into the park and setting them on fire.

Stacey said: “I was angry because my daughter is only four and we do not get to spend too much time together because I study at university.

“It was a nice day ruined by senseless people and it’s just disgusting.

“It’s sad we have to go out of the area, and this is not fair.”

The Bolton News:

Bolton Council confirmed they were aware of the reports and were working to ensure the safety of the playground.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “A fire in the play area at Farnworth Park over the weekend was reported to the council on Monday. It appears to have been caused by a wheelie bin having been set on fire under one of the pieces of equipment.

“The equipment has been temporarily cordoned off by the neighbourhood services team. "Owing to the nature of the damage, the equipment must be assessed for insurance purposes and the damaged unit can’t be removed until it has been inspected.

“A new piece of equipment will be installed in due course and a new piece of play carpet laid underneath.” 

Stacey said: “Maybe we need more centres for young people to go to but I don’t know what else can be done.

“I posted the pictures in a Facebook group as well and I hope there is a change, maybe we need CCTV or something to stop this from happening again and again.”

Other residents expressed their anger on Stacey’s Facebook post with many stating their children and grandchildren loved playing at the park.