CLOSED-circuit television cameras could be installed at a children's playground which has been targeted by arsonists at least three times in the last 11 weeks.

Yobs set alight three wheelie bins on the playground, in Nugent Road, Great Lever.

The blaze melted the wheelie bins and the safety flooring.

The play area is now unusable for youngsters, who this week are on their half-term holiday.

Council workmen were on the site on Friday clearing up the damage caused by the fire, thought to have happened late last week.

The fire is the latest in a series of blazes at the playground.

Arsonists struck twice in a week at the beginning of December and left the play area unusable because of the extensive damage to the mats.

Cllr Mohammed Ayub is calling for security to be stepped up on the site.

He said: "I can't believe it has happened again. I will be looking to see if we can get cameras installed and if police can patrol the area together with our own security."

He added: "We try to do our best for the area and the yobs destroy it.

"There are a lot of young children in this area who use this ground and take much pleasure from it. I don't understand why vandals want to ruin it for everyone. It is just the mindless actions of a few."

Cllr Ayub appealed for anyone who knows who caused the fire, or sees anything suspicious in the area in the future, to call the police or the council security team.