TWO youths have been interviewed by police in Darlington after a children’s play area was destroyed by arsonists in February.

The youngsters will be now dealt with by the youth justice team, and could face court.

Arsonists who targeted the pirate ship play area in the town’s South Park caused an estimated £23,000 worth of damage.

Devastated parents and local residents set up a fundraising page to try to raise enough to fix the blackened shell of the play area, but as of the weekend only six per cent of the target had been raised

Inspector Simon Cowan, of Darlington Police, confirmed at the weekend that two youths, under the age of 16, had been interviewed.

He said: “Two local youths have been dealt with and interviewed by police in connection with the recent arson at South Park, and due to admissions made have been referred to the youth offending team for further and subsequent action, which could involve a court appearance.”

The youths cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The fire broke out just before 8pm on Monday, February 20, and quickly took hold, melting the equipment and leaving a blackened shell.

The remains of the frame have been removed and there is an empty space where the toddler play area once stood.

Children are still able to use the majority of the play equipment and the council has said it is business as usual in the rest of the park.

The borough council is planning to replace the equipment and repair the child-friendly surface.

Groundwork North East & Cumbria launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise the money needed or repairs and support flooded in at first.

However, still only £1,700 has been raised towards the £23,000 target - just six per cent of the total needed.

It was hoped the cash could be raised to repair the play area in time for the summer.

Just weeks after the arson attack, vandals damaged part of the main play frame in the park, but this was swiftly repaired by Darlington Borough Council. The Friends of South Park is looking at securing grants for repairs to the play area.

The council’s anti social behaviour team has been working with police recently to try to tackle out-of-hours problems in the park. The police have issued dispersal orders, ordering groups of youths away.

And the number of cameras in the park could also be increased following the incidents.