Multiple small fires have been started on a community green and woodlands.

Dog walkers reported the blazes on the field in Park Wood, Maidstone, opposite Holy Family primary school last week.

Burnt out remains of where the council-owned bins used to be are still visible near the football pitches, as well as in the nearby woods.

Following the fires, multiple bins were removed from the field but Maidstone Borough Council says this has nothing to do with the fires, but pre-planned works.

The local authority only has reports of a wheelie bin and rubbish from the bins being burnt, but confirmed it would be replacing eight bins.

It’s set to cost them £2,400 – £300 for each bin – and was going to happen “regardless of the fire”.

A spokesman for the council said: “Maidstone Borough Council street scene team discovered a pile of burnt rubbish in Park Wood recreation ground last weekend.

“The council believe that a household wheelie bin and waste from the litter bins was set alight, this waste was cleared on Monday.

“As a separate piece of work, over the next two weeks, the team is replacing and relocating the litterbins in the park where there will be new large litter bins dotted around the edge of the field.”

One mum and daughter, who didn’t want to be named, spotted the burnt grass while walking the dogs.

They said: “There’s only one bin for dog poo and rubbish and it’s on the other side of the field.”

It’s not known exactly how the fires started, but locals believe it’s the work of a group of youths persistently visiting the site.