"MINDLESS" vandals have torched half of an adventure playground at a popular Cwmbran tourist attraction, to the despair of staff.

The tyre swing, wooden bridge and shelter at Greenmeadow Community Farm have all been gutted by the blaze, in a massive blow to the farm following a "fantastic summer".

Police have said they are treating the fire as deliberate.

Commercial manager Kate Holly said staff first noticed the extensive damage when they arrived for work yesterday (Thurs) morning.

“It is a real shame because we have had a lovely summer with up to 400 visitors per day. Everyone’s devastated.”

The playground will be closed until further notice but the farm, which is set in 120 acres of land on Greenforge Way, remains open as normal.

On the farm’s Facebook page, staff wrote: “Please, please, please keep your ears to the ground and let the police know straight away if you hear anything about who may have done it. Such a mindless act which hurts one of the community's best loved places.”

A South Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said two crews, one from Cwmbran and the other from New Inn, were at the playground at 8.08am to put out the fire, and left at 8.31am, yesterday. He said the fire measured five metres by five metres. No one was injured in the fire.

Fans of the farm took to social media to express their disgust. One user wrote: “This is, thank goodness no one was hurt. I hope the police find the low life that did this, this mindless vandalism won’t stop me from coming up on the weekend.”

Another said: “Disgusting! I hope you can get it back to its former glory. Maybe a little fundraising event it in order with the fire service.”

Torfaen council called it "sad news".

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said officers were called after the equipment was set alight between 6pm on Wednesday and 7.20am on Thursday.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call 101 and quote log number 99 4/9/14.