A NURSERY has hit out at "heartless" vandals who destroyed a children's climbing frame in an arson attack.

The thugs have left the 48 youngsters who attend Toppers Day Nursery in Henry Street, Rishton, without the £500 outdoor equipment after the incident at the weekend.

Angus Maclean, who owns Toppers with his wife Annalene, said he had been left upset by the vandalism to a slide, tunnel and climbing apparatus.

He said: "It is just wanton destruction, so needless.

"The sickening part is that this is a piece of equipment that was enjoyed by very young children and they are the ones that are going to suffer because of this fire. The climbing frame is very popular with the children and it was in excellent condition.

"It will take time to replace it but we will do so as soon as possible, even if we are unable to claim on our insurance."

Mr Maclean, who lives above the nursery premises, was woken by firefighters who had been called after a neighbour spotted the flames.

He said that the vandals broke into a storage shed and took petrol that is used with a lawn mower.

They then poured the petrol over the heavy-duty plastic climbing frame before setting fire to it.