FIREBUGS torched a new £10,000 nursery play area just days after it opened.

Youngsters at Penilee Nursery School, in Glasgow, were devastated after vandals set fire to their revamped playground.

It comes less than a week after a make-over was completed following a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery fund.

The fire damage was discovered yesterday morning.

It is understood a plastic sandpit was stolen from a nearby primary school, placed in the nursery's new wooden gazebo and then set on fire.

The plastic melted, causing damage to both the gazebo and a softplay area.

Vandals then went on the rampage at a seating and picnic area which had recently been refurbished at the school in Inkerman Road.

Alison Bowers, the school's head teacher, said: "Everyone is just so upset - the children have hardly even had time to make use of the new playground.

"It was completed only last week.

"We have worked so hard to make improvements at the nursery and it is disappointing that something like this could happen."

Through the Big Lottery Awards for All Scheme the nursery received £10,000 to create an outdoor learning and play space for pupils, with an outdoor shelter and active play equipment in their playground.

Work was also carried out at the front of the nursery, which caters for 120 children between the ages of three and five, and plant tubs, picnic benches and bird feeders were installed.

They were even placed in concrete, but the vandals managed to kick them over as well.

The improvement works were carried out by members of the Community Payback Scheme, which works with offenders. The planters and equipment were gifted to the nursery.

Youngsters could not play in the fire damaged area yesterday and it is not yet known how long it will be out of use.

Lynn McMillan, a clerical assistant at the nursery, said: "We were hoping to have a grand opening as part of our summer fayre next month.

"We are just gutted about what has happened."

Councillor Stephen Curran, executive member for education and young people at Glasgow City Council, said: "To target a children's nursery is shameful. These wicked people don't realise the damage their actions cause.

"I trust that the local community will not hesitate to contact police with any information they have."

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk