SECURITY is now being stepped up at a top Rossendale attraction after thousands of pounds of damage was caused after an arson attack.

Ski Rossendale in Rawtenstall has been plagued by gangs of youths late at night using the equipment while drunk.

The arson attack is just the latest in a string of incidents which have led to a calls for increased security.

Fire crews were called to the attraction at 5am on Tuesday morning after a fire was reported at the bottom of a dry ski slope.

It is believed that youths had broken into the tubing hut and had been playing on the sledges before setting fire to them, causing £2,000 worth of damage to eight mats at the bottom of the slope and safety netting.

Rossendale Leisure Trust, of which Ski Ross-endale is a part, said it wanted to warn people of the dangers of being on the slopes at night.

Diane Scott, head of operational services for the trust, said: “During the summer months people are coming onto the slopes about once a week in the evenings, most of the time drunk. They should realise they are putting them-selves in danger.

“We are now looking at stepping up security and police have said they will be on patrol.

“The trust is taking this very seriously. We cannot afford to keep paying to replace damaged equipment.

“It is costly and dangerous and anyone caught on site when we are closed will be prosecuted.”

Watch manager Tom Simpson, of Rawtenstall fire station, said: “It looks like they had black rubber rings used to travel down the slope.

"Someone set fire to one of them and it spread to some netting.”