VANDALS set fire to a children’s play area in Oxford just weeks after a £45,000 facelift.

New play equipment at the park, in Dene Road, off The Slade, in Headington, was set alight.

A climbing net was so badly damaged it will be two months before it can be used again.

Oxford City Council only completed modernisation of the play area earlier this month.

Lye Valley ward councillor Bob Timbs, who represents the area, and is the council’s executive member for leisure, said: “We haven’t had the official opening yet. Whoever destroyed it has destroyed fun for children with school holidays coming up. It’s a disgrace.”

The fire was reported shortly before 9pm on Thursday by a passing motorist.

Council staff have not yet established the total cost of the damage but estimate it will take two months for replacement parts for the climbing net to be delivered and fitted.

Mr Timbs said the council could ill-afford big repair bills at a time of spending cuts.

He added: “When someone does this, the taxpayer has to pay to repair it.

“But if it happens again, we might not be able to repair it and it’s the kids who will suffer.”

The refurbishment work was part of a £2.5m programme to modernise children’s play areas.

So far, about 40 playgrounds out of 55 have been updated during the three-year city-wide programme.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Chris Kearney said police were investigating the vandalism.

He added: “We have received reports that a group of youths were in the park shortly before the fire.

“We would urge anyone with information about that or the fire to contact us.”

Anyone with information about the fire should call the police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.