ARSONISTS are being blamed for a blaze which destroyed a bandstand in a popular Burnley park - just a month after it was damaged in a similar fire.

Firefighters fought to save the building in Queen's Park after spotting the flames from the fire station in Belvedere Road at shortly after 8pm. The park in Queen Victoria Road is only 200 yards from Burnley fire station.

But despite their efforts they could not save the building which is now a burnt-out shell.

Today park officials said they were "devastated" by the blaze.

Police are investigating the fire, which is being blamed on children.

Last month, fire crews tackled a blaze in the old pavilion which is used as a seating and storage area.

That fire was also blamed on youngsters.

Station officer Neil Mark said: "The pavilion has been completely destroyed.

It was badly damaged before, but now it is just a shell.

"There were lots of children around when we got there and the fire is being treated as suspicious."

Secretary of the Friends of Thompson and Queen's Parks June Evans said: "We are devastated that the pavilion has been fired and annoyed at the stupidity of those who have done it.

"This is part of the heritage of the park and money will have to be found to replace it. People work hard for the parks of Burnley and we have to put up with this sort of vandalism."

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "We are extremely concerned at repeated vandalism in one of the borough's best-loved parks and would appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward with it to the police.

"This is an example of a mindless minority

"We are looking at options for a full replacement of the bandstand."