A CHILDREN'S nursery has been wrecked after a suspected arson attack.

Two ground floor classrooms and an outdoor toy store were destroyed in the blaze last night at Stonehouse Nursery in Etherstone Street, Leigh.

Firefighters contained the blaze but the building has been closed pending repair.

The purpose built nursery belonging to Wigan Council Social Services Department is also used as a contact centre where children can meet separated parents on neutral ground.

Vandals and thieves have targeted the nursery and the toy store has been raided several times.

Council security specialists were called in after the fire and stayed overnight outside the premises to deter intruders.

A social services spokesman said today: "The fire started at the back of the building and the possibility of arson is being investigated."

Part of the interior of the building is gutted, the electricity cut-off and the rest of the building suffered smoke damage.