Lifesaving equipment is believed to have been deliberately vandalised in a fire at a Gunwalloe beach.

The National Trust discovered the damage at Church Cove on Monday morning, although it is thought it may have been caused some time over the weekend.

Writing on their Facebook page, the Penrose rangers said: "Several signs had been ripped out and burnt, but more disturbingly so was some of the public rescue equipment we maintain."

Ranger Greg Cross told the Packet that the damage to the life ring was the main concern, adding: "We have managed to get a replacement out in the interim and we are ordering a new unit.

"That's the real concern, the safety aspect. The parking signs are something we can replace, but the life ring is the real issue."

He added that whoever was responsible had not taken into account the need for it as equipment that could save someone's life.

It is estimated that the cost of replacing and reinstalling both the signs and rescue equipment will run into hundreds of pounds.

The matter has been placed into the hands of the police.

The vandalism have come in for criticism online, with Anthony Woods writing on the Trust's Facebook post: "Idiots! Destroying facilities and safety equipment - if anyone needed this equipment then I hope they have this on their conscience."

Carl Oxford agreed: "Let's just hope that whoever did this needs a flotation device while swimming and this one can be thrown to them. See how they like it."

And Nigel Clackworthy wrote: "I hope whoever did this are caught and made to pay."

It is not the first time there has been deliberate fire damage at the beach. Last year the fence in front of the public toilets was burnt.

Any information about the most recent incident should be passed to Helston Police by calling 101.