ARSONISTS who set fire to play equipment which could cost up to £10,000 to replace have been labelled a "disgrace".

Fire crews rushed to the scene in East Street, Coggeshall, on Monday night following reports a wooden structure was alight.

An investigation found the blaze had been started deliberately and Nick Unsworth, the chairman of Coggeshall Parish Council, warned that they will find out who set the fire.

Councillor Unsworth said: "We're massively disappointed, whoever did it is a disgrace and they've let down their parents and they've let down the community.

"We're sure the parents of those who did it will know because they will have gone home afterwards stinking of smoke.

"We're going to look at initiatives and meet with Honywood School, that'll be in the coming weeks.

"I'm sure we'll find out who is responsible."

It comes just weeks after a rubbish bin was also set on fire in Coggeshall and reports of other vandalism at the park.

Cllr Unsworth said the bill for the repair work to the fire damaged equipment will be in the region of £10,000.

He explained: "They're only harming themselves really because it's their own money and it would be better spent elsewhere.

"We're working on the Big Park project for that area at the moment and the people behind it will be thinking what the point is if there's a risk of this happening.

"It's a wooden structure and there's the rubber flooring which has all had to be cordoned off - it costs so much to replace because it needs to meet safety standards."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were called by our colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service shortly before 11pm on Monday, July 16.

"There were reports that a children’s play park on East Street, Coggeshall, had been deliberately set on fire.

"Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Colchester police station on 101 quoting reference 42/101590/18."