HEARTLESS vandals have set fire to play equipment in a park at the start of the school holidays.

A fire was spotted in the park in The Crescent, Princes Risborough, on July 19, in the afternoon.

Emergency services were called and fire fighters put out the blaze.

The damage caused could result in the removal of the play equipment for repairs and so equipment can be re-sprayed.

John Coombs, chairman of Princes Risborough Town Council, said: "It was quite badly damaged to such an extent that I think it will have to go away because whatever has been set fire to has not dried."

Contractors will now have to find out the extent of the damage and see whether the piece of equipment needs removing.

Town councillors at a meeting on Tuesday condemned the attack but said they would not give in to vandalism.

But other parks in the area, including Wades Park, were slammed by Cllr Gary Hall as being "disgraceful."

He said: "It looks absolutely appalling. It looks neglected and the grass has been left to grow."

The contractor was due to meet Cllr Coombs and the town council clerk to discuss the matter but failed to turn up.

Councillors are now looking at drawing up a specific contract between the council and the grass-cutter to ensure grass and the parks are maintained to a standard the council is happy with.

Anyone with any information about the arson in the park in The Crescent is asked to contact PC Andrew Smith of High Wycombe police on 01494 465888.