Volunteers have been rocked after 'mindless thugs' targeted a community park once again.
Emergency services descended on Victoria Park, in Denton, after 6pm on Sunday (January 30) where the bandstand had been set alight.
It comes two years since the Grade II-listed bandstand, which is over 100 years old, was set on fire three times in a month.
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Police in Tameside say bins were set on fire at the historic bandstand at the weekend, and are urging witnesses to come forward.
Tony Moran is club secretary at Denton Park Social Bowling Club, which plays on the bowling green at Victoria Park.
At the time, he claimed the park was becoming a 'no go area' at night, before work took place in the past two years to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
But with this latest incident at the weekend, Tony says the community has been dealt a setback.
"I felt physically sick when I heard about it," he told the Manchester Evening News .
"The police have had action in place, Tameside youth services, volunteers - they have all been trying to do what they can. However, it has raised its head again.
"We thought the tide had turned, we have been getting a lot of support from the community, but to be honest this has set our volunteers back a bit. You think, flipping heck.
"I just hope that the police find out who it is."
Arsonists targeted the Denton Park Social clubhouse back in 2018.
Tony says it's an issue the club 'want to keep an eye on' as it looks forward to the new bowling season beginning in March.
"People are keen to get out in the fresh air," he added.
"The park was our lifeline during the restrictions as we could get outside, it was very well used."
Firefighters spent 30 minutes tackling the blaze on Sunday evening.
In a post on Facebook warning the community about the incident, one resident hit out at the 'disgusting behaviour' of 'mindless bored thugs' at the park.
Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called at around 6.10pm on Sunday (January 30) to reports of a fire at the bandstand in Victoria Park.
"No arrests have currently been made, and enquiries are ongoing."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service added: "Just after 6pm on Sunday (January 30), one fire engine from Hyde fire station was called to reports of a fire at a park on Victoria Street, Denton.”
“The crew arrived quickly at the scene, firefighters used specialist equipment to extinguish the fire.
“Firefighters were in attendance for around half an hour.”
Anyone with details about the incident can contact GMP on the force's website, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
