MORE than £11,000 has already been raised in response to a fundraising campaign set up following a suspected arson attack at Droitwich Spa's Lido Park.

The blaze - which police are treating as arson - caused £11,000 of damage to the climbing frame and slide area of the park on July 2.

No one has been arrested in connection with the blaze.

Following the fire, staff at estate agent Nicol and Co set up a fund to raise money for the park to be replaced and improved.

So far, £11,270 has been raised following donations from local business and residents, and director Matt Nicol hopes the funds will reach the target of £25,000.

Mr Nicol said: “We've all been past the Lido park play area or used it with our children at some point. It's important to the local area and therefore important to us. We want to raise as much money as we can locally to help Wychavon District Council replace and improve the park, and hopefully with enough money raised it will be open again in time for the summer holidays.

"There is money in reserves to cover the £11,000 but I think most of what we raise will go to paying the contractors to install the park, and anything else we can raise will go to improvements and added facilities.

"I don't know why I decided to set up a fund, I just know we were all very angry when we heard about what happened and thought the quicker we can get it replaced the better."

Lynn Stevens, parks officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “It was great meeting with Matt to discuss how we can work together to improve the play area. The funds raised to date by the local community are a real boost and show how highly valued the park is by local people. This fundraising, along with Wychavon’s own funds, have ensured that a replacement multi-play unit has already been purchased and will be installed with a new play surface. It is hoped that the replacement play equipment will be opened in early August. If additional funds were to be raised we discussed the provision of additional pieces of play equipment and picnic tables.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/yimby/LidoPark.

Call police on 101 quoting incident reference 791s of July 2 with any information on the incident.