GAZETTE & HERALD: ARSONISTS are believed to be responsible for a fire that ravaged a Corsham play school on Tuesday afternoon, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The Honey Pot Nursery, based in the grounds of Corsham Regis primary school on Kings Avenue, was left badly damaged by smoke from the blaze, while a shed containing all the playgroup's toys and equipment, was gutted.

Nursery owner Christine Hughes, was forced to watch helplessly as her beloved business went up in smoke.

"I can't find the words to describe it," Ms Hughes said. "It's so needless. What is there to be achieved by doing this?

"I just thank God that no one was inside."

A mother of children who attend the nursery raised the alarm.

Ms Hughes said: "She went out for a walk and saw the building on fire. Fortunately she still had my mobile number.

"It was quite devastating to see something that's taken years to build up burning."

Corsham Fire sub officer, Mark Unwin said fire appliances were scrambled to the scene from Melksham, Chippenham and Corsham and that a column of black smoke could be seen from several miles away.

The blaze, which started around 4pm, was brought under control within 20 minutes.

Mrs Hughes is desperately trying to clean up before replacing lost equipment, including a range of bicycles, in time for the nursery re-opening in September.

"Inside is mostly smoke and water damage. It's cleanable," she said.

"Not a lot of equipment inside the mobile classroom has been damaged.

"We've had a really positive response from parents offering to help. It's such a blow that something like this has happened. "

Twenty-four children are already signed up for the new term and Ms Hughes wanted to assure parents that the playschool will be opening as scheduled in September.

Anyone with information on the blaze should contact PC Fennell on (01249) 712172.