A PLAYPARK has been trashed by arsonists after it was set alight.

The park, on Eling Recreation Ground, has been taped off following the incident on Monday evening.

New Forest District Council believes the park was set alight with a "form of liquified fuel" such as petrol which may have been applied to the plastic panels.

The park was installed in October last year at the rec off of Bartram Road.

The council has said that there was "unrepairable damage caused to two play panels which now requires a full replacement".

The structural elements appear unaffected, but the cost of the repairs needed is still being determined, the council said.

READ MORE: Freemantle Lake Park arson leaves community devastated

Resident Ollie Brookes spotted the damage caused to the park on Tuesday morning. 

He said it's "absolutely disgusting this type of thing happens to a community site".

The Daily Echo contacted Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, but they said that there were no logs of the incident at this time.

The news comes just days after Freemantle Lake Park in Southampton was targeted by arsonists causing damage to the equipment. 

Friends of Freemantle Lake Park helped raise nearly £200 to get new equipment over the course of a few years.

Group secretary Charlotte Ndupuechi told the Echo: "We are totally devastated to see the damage caused by the fire in Freemantle Lake Park yesterday. 

"The friend's group has worked incredibly hard over the last few years with the help of the local community to get the park to this stage. 

"We urge anybody with information to come forward to the police."