Community volunteers have been left devastated after a recently completed project was damaged by vandals.
Members of the Dunnikier Country Park Development Group only completed the “Bower Seat” last month as part of its efforts to improve the area for visitors.
However, on Tuesday evening the bench was set on fire, causing extensive damage and considerable heartache to those who helped construct it.
Ronnie Mackie, Greener Kirkcaldy’s community gardener and the man who initiated the project, said: “The fire was started deliberately and was intended to destroy the seat completely.
“The fire is disappointing because of the mindless destruction involved but also because building the seat involved local people for use by local people.
“The fire means everyone loses out.”
The seat, enclosed within a semi-circular dry-stone wall, was the latest addition to the park as part of community efforts to rejuvenate it as a visitor destination.
Sue Bennett, from the Dunnikier Country Park Development Group, said that anybody with information should contact the police.
“We posted news of the fire on Facebook and the reaction has been overwhelming,” she said.
“People are really angry at what has happened. I can only ask they keep their eyes peeled and if the see anything suspicious to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
Sergeant Jimmy Adamson, from Kirkcaldy Police Station, said:: “Fortunately the fire did not spread further within Dunnikier Park, nor did this incident result in anyone being injured.
“Nevertheless, this was a reckless and needless act of destruction and we are following a number of lines of inquiry locally to identify the culprit.
“Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the area between Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th should contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.