HEARTBROKEN charity workers were left counting the cost after their community offices and play centre were destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

The building at the Bell Farm Adventure Playground, in Byland Avenue, York, was so badly damaged in the fire on Sunday that it will have to be demolished, at the charity's expense.

The cost of the rebuilding is estimated at £370,000. The playground will be closed for about a year as staff will not be able to provide supervision or toilet facilities.

The centre houses playground supervisors, as well as an indoor play area, which welcomes 50 children a day, catering for hundreds of children each week.

The chairwoman of the charity, Naomi Lapite, said: "I am totally gutted to be honest, we have worked so hard but now this.

"We were in the middle of new funding bids to try to get a new playground and a new building, but now we have got to spend our funds to pull it down, which is heartbreaking.

"But it has made us more determined to go on and get the support of the community behind us, so I would appeal to anyone who can help us, building firms who can spare a man for a day, or some equipment, anyone who can help."