STAFF at a Poole nursery have taken positive steps after an arson attack caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to their premises.

Toys and outdoor play equipment were wrecked at

Sunbeams and Buddies Day Care in Library Road

last month.

Now managing director Kirsty Lester has used the experience to teach the children about fire safety.

She invited representatives from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to the nursery and pre-school and said the children were “very excited and loved their time with the fire crew”.

She added: “Some of the crew who attended the fire were there and they talked to the children about fire safety.

“All our little sunbeams are being very positive and enjoying nursery life. We’ve already started replacing equipment lost in the fire and building repairs are also under way.”

During the fire, which took place on Sunday April 14, flames spread to the side of the building, causing significant damage.

The incident took place during the busy Easter holiday period and staff were forced to close for a day, leaving many families without child care.

The cost of the damage was estimated at £4,000.

At the time, Kirsty said: “A garden storage cupboard was destroyed along with everything in it. A window, door and canopy were damaged and safety flooring melted.”

Around 40 children were due to attend the following day and Kirsty added: “This led to a lot of inconvenience for parents who had made arrangements for their children so they could go to work.

“We have also had to give them their money back so there has also been a loss of revenue.”

After the incident police appealed for information from members of the public.

PC John Upsher described the arson as “a mindless and reckless act” and said the consequences could have been worse if a nearby resident had not called the emergency services promptly. He appealed for witnesses to call police on 101.

An 11-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released under investigation pending further inquiries.