A NEW £2million health centre extension has been damaged after fireraisers set light to the entrance last night.

Fire services were called to Prestonpans Health Centre shortly after 9pm on Wednesday after the blaze was spotted.

It is believed vandals forced the doors open before throwing traffic cones from the street outside into the vestibule, and setting them alight.

Staff at the centre arrived this morning to find the doors, which were only installed two weeks ago, badly damaged along with the entrance area and new carpeting.

Staff at the centre, which remains open for business, described the act as "senseless".

The extension to Prestonpans Health Centre was approved last year after the practice was forced to close its books to new patients.

The £2million extension will increase floor space by a third and create six extra rooms to accomodate more consultations and staff.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the scene at about 9.15pm.

Police Scotland appealed for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the Preston Road area to get in touch.

A police spokesperson said: ""Police in East Lothian are currently investigating an incident of wilful fireraising at Prestonpans Health Centre in Preston Road.

"Anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour in the area around this time is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

A spokesperson for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership said: "We are currently on site assessing the damage and it is still our intention to open the new building as soon as possible, although we are not clear that this will be next Friday as originally planned.

"We will keep the community posted on this. It is really disappointing that this building, which has been long awaited by patients in Prestonpans, has been the subject of wanton vandalism."