NEW Brighton’s ‘Black Pearl’ pirate ship was badly damaged last night in a fire believed to have been started by arsonists.

The popular driftwood attraction was well alight as firefighters arrived at the promenade near Dalmorton Road around 8pm.

Two jet hoses were used to extinguish the blaze.

Built out of items from the beach, the ship was created by local artist Frank Lund and his friend Major Mace and attracted visitors from across the borough and beyond.

Mr Lund said: “We are really upset by this – we had only just added a few new bits to the ship in time for the Battle of the Atlantic anniversary - then an hour later, it was going up in flames.

“We don’t understand why this has been done because it has been become very popular with local people.”

Fire crews spent almost an hour at the scene.