Outdoor gym equipment has been set on fire and destroyed for the second time in just nine months.

The push up bench in the Fitness Trail at John Ray Park was set on fire by vandals overnight on May 29.

The same park was vandalised in August when two rows of tyres were set alight and a bench was vandalised, just a month after it opened.

Resident Pat Harding, who discovered the damage, left a comment on the Times’ Facebook page.

She said: “This equipment costs a lot of money and people enjoy using it.

“I encourage my young granddaughter to use it in the hope she may continue as she gets older.

“Who knows if it will be rebuilt as this is the second time the outdoor gym has been burnt.

“People complain about lack of facilities, then they set fire to what they have.”

Braintree Council was alerted to the incident by the Times on May 31 and council staff went out to cordon off the area the same day.

Wendy Schmitt, councillor responsible for environment and place, said: “I am extremely saddened that people have done something so mindless and irresponsible as destroying valuable and well-used fitness equipment.

“This is the second time the area has been deliberately vandalised since it’s been open and it’s costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds to repair.

“The equipment is beyond repair but our first priority is making sure the area is safe and then decide whether to replace the equipment.”

Peter Tattersley, councillor responsible for health and communities, said: “We invested in this outdoor gym to create an enjoyable experience for children, families, fitness groups and local residents, so I cannot understand why anyone would want to damage this much-loved community facility set in a beautiful park.

"Although the fire has put part of the fitness trail out of use, the rest of it is very much open and I’d encourage people to show their support by continuing to use this wonderful resource.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.