HALF of Loretto School’s sports shed has been damaged in a deliberate blaze.

The fire took place on the school’s playing field on Mountjoy Terrace, near Fisherrow Bowling Green and Loretto Nursery, on June 13 at about 9.15pm, no one was injured.

Fire crews attended and found a large quantity of sports equipment on fire.

It is not known how much sports equipment has been damaged.

The incident is being treated as wilful fire-raising by police.

Firefighters from Newcraighall and Marionville were alerted at 9.31pm and extinguished the fire by around 9.55pm.

Two fire engines were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said officers were investigating the blaze.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to trace a group of youths seen running from Mountjoy Terrace towards the Brunton Hall at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 and quote incident number 3853 of June 13.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called on 0800 555 111.

Members of the public took to social media, describing the incident as "shocking" and "disgraceful".

One said: "This is terrible... parents must have smelled that their child had been around a fire..."