ARSONISTS who set alight public toilets in a Burnley park, forcing their temporary closure, have been slammed.

Council bosses have taken the toilets in Queen’s Park out of commission after they were damaged in a fire attack earlier this week.

Town hall chiefs and a park user have criticised the vandals after an assessment of the damage looks likely to have placed the block out of action for up to a fortnight.

Park user Micky Woodvine highlighted the issue on the council’s Twitter feed after the incident spoiled a family day out at the park.

He said: “My two-year-old son and I needed to use the restroom at Queen’s Park but had to cut short our trip due to this.”

Council officials have confirmed that the toilets were the subject of an arson attack which had led to them remaining locked for safety reasons.

Contractors acting on behalf of the authority will now be working to make repairs, including repainting, fixing any damaged fixtures and replacing doors, if necessary.

A council spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this incident, which we would strongly condemn, and hope it does not spoil people’s enjoyment of the park.

“There are alternative public toilets, around five minutes’ walk away, which can be used until the repairs are completed.

"If anyone has information then we would urge them to contact the council or the police .”

Potential witnesses can contact the council on 01282 425011 or Lancashire Constabulary’s non-emergency reporting number, 101.