Police are investigating after a plastic picnic bench in a Newcastle Emlyn park was totally destroyed by fire.

Firefighters from Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul raced to the park on Sunday evening, 14 July, to tackle the blaze a short distance away from a children’s play area.

The fire was also said to have caused damage to the nearby Newcastle Emlyn Sports Club.

Officers said the same bench had been targeted two weeks previously, but had sustained only slight damage on that occasion.

“We received a call from the fire service at 6.15pm alerting us to an incident in Newcastle Emlyn park,” said a fire service spokeswoman.

“A picnic bench was well and truly alight and caused some damage to a nearby building.

“The same bench was previously set alight on 30 June.”

A Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said firefighters using two hose reel jets and a short extension ladder managed to extinguish the fire before leaving the scene shortly after 7.15pm.

Steve Richards, fire service arson reduction manager, said: “We believe that this incident was deliberate and would ask the community, if they know anything about it, to please phone Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101 or the fire service arson reduction team on 01268 909 408.”

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident, police confirmed.