Arsonists who have set fire to trees at the newly revamped Coppice in Accrington have been branded 'despicable'.

The fire was started deliberately shortly after 10pm on Saturday at the local beauty spot.

One fire crew attended the scene to tackle the fire which caused damage to several trees and parts of the new underfloor.

Youths were seen in the area shortly before the incident and firefighters were called after local residents spotted the flames.

John Taylor, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and rescue Service, said: "It is a waste of time and resources and it could have developed into a full scale fire.

"Fortunately a sharp eyed member of the public spotted it and it was put out and didn't spread. It's absolutely despicable something like has happened."

The Coppice has recently had conservation work done by volunteers through Hyndburn environmental charity The Prospects Foundation.

FIREFIGHTERS helped tackle a small blaze behind the Old Hire Shop on Blackburn Road, Church. Two fire crews attended the incident at 4.30pm yesterday to put out the fire to tyres and commercial waste. The cause of the fire is being investigated.