CHILDREN at a preschool have been left devastated after an arsonist destroyed a shed containing books, toys and play equipment.

Firefighters were called to Greenslade Preschool playgroup in Nailsea at about 1am on July 4.

Two sheds at the Pound Lane site were well alight when they reached the preschool and, despite their efforts, the sheds were both severely damaged. A spokesman for Avon Fire & Rescue Service said the cause appeared to be deliberate.

Cheryl Field, an assistant helper at the group, said: “It is such a shame. The state of the sheds is horrendous.

“I feel for the parents because they have done so much fundraising and it has gone to waste in seconds.”

Since the incident, parents, family members and preschool supporters have been donating money toward paying for new equipment and toys for the children.

Nailsea estate agency Hunter Leahy has also bought �200 worth of toys from Smyths Toy Shop for the group, which was then matched by the Cribbs Causeway store.

Cheryl added: “It really is unbelievable how the community comes together when something like this happens.”

The arson attack came just eight days after a similar incident at Kingshill Primary School – situated just yards further down the road. A wendy house was torched on June 26, leaving a similar trail of destruction.

Kingshill headteacher Nic Baykaa-Murray said: “I don’t understand the mentality of some individuals.

“This was a structure used by four-year-olds to learn how to socialise through imaginative play and also a place to enjoy reading. The children are devastated.”

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesman said enquiries were ongoing and called for witnesses to contact the police using the 101 non-emergency number.