A £20,000 children’s playground in Tilbury has been wrecked by a mystery fire.

The multi-play unit, in London Road, was onlycompleted last week and had not opened to the public.

The equipment, which was funded via national charity, Fields in Trust, has nowbeen fenced off after the weekend fire.

Mum Joanne Lewis, 32, who lives nearby, said her children had been looking forward to using the area.

She said: “The new unit looked amazing and the kids were really looking forward to playing there.

“The kids didn’t even have a chance to play on the equipment. If someone has done this, it is disgraceful. It is really sad.

“My little girl was quite upset after seeing the state of the play area.”

Essex Fire and Rescue Service did not attend the incident and it is not known how the fire started.

A spokesman for Thurrock Council said: “Nearly all the fire-retardant fixtures, panels and steps – as well as the rubber safety surfacing – have been damaged, indicating the fire involved a considerable amount of fuel.

“The equipment is currently fenced off and initial indications are that the equipment will have to be written off.

“The council will consider whether or not the equipment can be replaced.”