PARENTS are mounting a vigil to ensure vandals stay away from a £20,000 play park dedicated to the memory of a three-year-old road accident victim.

Michelle and John Ord, whose only child, Aleisha, died after being struck by a bus near to her grandmother's home in Murton, County Durham, last year, have led a village campaign to build the memorial park.

And with the tribute ground almost completed, and the couple expecting a baby in October, there was some hope at last for Michelle and John.

But just as they were looking forward to the future, they learned of a weekend arson attack on the memorial park, at Murton Nursery School.

"We were so proud of the park and grateful for all the money which poured in after Aleisha's death," said Michelle.

"We just wanted to do something nice for the children in the village, and now this happens. It has brought our nightmare back all over again.

"We are wondering when our pain will ever end."

She also spoke of her expected baby.

"Though we are delighted to have an addition to our family, we don't want anyone to think this child will be a replacement for Aleisha. We will never forget out beautiful little girl."

Their daughter died a day before her fourth birthday on May 20.

And though they have been devastated by the vandal attack, John and Michelle are determined the well-equipped park will open on Aleisha's birthday.

"We will not be beaten by this, and other parents in the village have stepped in to make sure the vandals keep away," said Michelle.

Once the news of the attack spread, dozens of parents came forward to mount an out-of-school-hours vigil until a closed-circuit television system is installed at the school later this week.

A nine-year-old boy is among a number of children being questioned by police over the fire-damaged play equipment