The council have removed recycling banks from Stratton Park after a fire last night.

A glass recycling bank placed outside Kempshott Village Hall was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of this morning (September 14).

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it was "damaged beyond repair" and that two other banks - a glass bank and small electronics bank - also had "significant damage".

Meanwhile, Hampshire Constabulary have launched an arson investigation.

Clean-up crews from the council were on site this morning and the damaged banks have been removed.

Stratton Park is one of many recycling sites across the borough that will close before the end of the year because of anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

Councillors on the borough council's cabinet voted in favour of closing all but six recycling sites across Basingstoke and Deane.

All paper and cardboard banks will be removed, with only sites at Brighton Hill Shopping Centre; Chineham Shopping Centre; Castons Car Park; The Fieldgate Centre, Kingsclere; Overton Hill Car Park; and Winklebury Centre remaining open.

Additionally, council officers will investigate how best to utilise CCTV at the remaining sites.

Stratton Park's bring bank was specifically mentioned in last week's cabinet meeting, with Cllr Hayley Eachus, cabinet member with responsibility for waste, saying there were "numerous issues" including people setting fire to the banks.

"It's just not acceptable," she told the meeting.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they were investigating the arson, and said: "At 2.20am on Tuesday, 14 September clothing bins at Stratton Park, Pack Lane was set alight.

"Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 44210368639."