ARSONISTS started a blaze in a Southampton playground.

A dumped moped was found ablaze in a play area in Hinkler Road, Thornhill, at 12.50am yesterday morning.

Crews from Hightown fire station used buckets of water to put out the vehicle, which was left in a shelter next to the basketball courts.

The flames completely gutted the bike and caused severe damage to the shelter and the protective flooring in the park.

Watch manager James Street said: “The playground was a real asset to the community and now it has been damaged. This bike is a personal belonging which someone would use to get to work or school.”