NEW play equipment has been set alight in Tilbury.

And it had only been unveiled at a special launch earlier this month in Tilbury’s Daisy Field.

The new play area was part of work undertaken by the council to boost various projects in the area, thanks to fast-tracked funding of £500,000.

The funding was provided by the Tilbury Towns Fund Board under the government’s £3.6billion towns fund scheme.

Council bosses have slammed the vandalism which shows little respect for the community.

Leader of the council, Rob Gledhill has urged anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “This mindless vandalism doesn’t just make the area look bad and poorly maintained, it denies children and young people a place to safely meet, play and exercise.

“This equipment has only been in place for a few weeks, so those who have done this show little respect for their community and those who live there who want much needed improvements.

“I would urge anyone who has any information about those who damaged the equipment to contact 101, contact Crimestoppers anonymously or using the chat function on the Essex Police website.”

Peter Ward, chairman of Tilbury Towns Fund Board, said: “I’m incredibly disappointed on behalf of the Tilbury Towns Fund Board and for the local community that this new play equipment at Daisy Field has been vandalised so soon after our special launch event.

“To hear that the good work that has already taken place in Tilbury has already encountered a setback is devastating.”