Arsonists torched a children's playground built to help regenerate a deprived neighbourhood.

Youngsters were devastated to discover slides and the playground's rubber safety surface had been destroyed in the blaze.

Damage estimated at costing thousands of pounds was caused to the play equipment and surface, which was only installed three years ago.

The area has now been left almost unusable, with three of the slides out of action and the surface needing to be replaced.

Firefighters from Roedean were called to the playground, near the pitches off Whitehawk Road, Whitehawk, Brighton, at about 7pm on Friday.

Sub officer Bruce Townsend said: "When we arrived there was thick black smoke rising into the air.

"The heat was so intense it melted part of the rubber area.

"We are certainly treating the incident as suspicious."

Residents on the Whitehawk estate, who are trying to rid the area of its tarnished reputation with the help of the £47.2 million eb4u government regeneration project, said they had hoped arson attacks were a thing of the past.

Community figure Faith Matyszak, MBE, said: "This is a choker. You are just getting things nice and together and some idiot comes along and does this.

"These people spoil it for all of us.

"We are working so hard to make this a nice place to live.

"Now it will be big banners and headlines about Whitehawk again."

Resident Lesley King, whose two children use the play area, said: "There are still children using it but the three slides have gone and the arch over the top of the play area has been burnt and it has destroyed part of the surface.

"The equipment was only put up in 2000."

Brighton and Hove City Council paid for the installation of the equipment.

Councillor Mo Marsh, who represents the area, said: "I'm angry and frustrated.

"What kind of mentality does a person have if they think it's fun to destroy play equipment that is used by children and young people?"

Police are investigating the blaze.