Mindless arsonists have been condemned after a unique bandstand was set alight for the second time.

Fire crews from Braintree and Halstead were called to Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens at about 6pm on Saturday.

The thatched roof of the bandstand, thought to be the only remaining one of its kind in the country, was 20 per cent alight and the fire took about 35 minutes to put out.

Julien Courtauld, chairman of the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Trust, said: “The whole town should feel ashamed that among us live people who can do such a completely stupid and potentially lethal thing."

See the Braintree Times for the full story