Arsonists have targeted a children's playground, destroying a 15ft train.

A fire crew turned up to the blazing, plastic-cladded, wooden locomotive in Gildredge Park, The Goffs, Eastbourne just after 3am today.

The children's train was situated next to the cafe and the park, with trees nearby.

The fire produced "quite an intense heat" because of its construction.

There were no fire hydrants within easy reach, so firefighters used a special foam to "knock down" the flames and stop the fire spreading.

They then turned hoses on it to finish the job.

The attending crew manager said: "It's such a shame really, especially at the moment."

He added that the fire could only have been deliberate ignition.

>>> Do you have a picture of the train? Email adrian.imms@theargus.co.uk