HE WAS left "devastated" and "destroyed" after part of his business was wrecked by fire.

Fred Salter, the owner of Children’s Pleasure Park in Southampton, said that vandals "destroyed part of my life" when his park was burnt down in a suspected arson attack in February.

But now, the 53-year-old is offering every single Southampton resident three free goes on a ride on July 29 following the support he has received from the public.

Emergency services rushed to the funfair near Southampton Sports Centre in the early hours on the morning on February 18.

A marquee used for children’s birthday parties was completely destroyed by the flames.

Some sheds and a children play train were also vandalised.

A campaign was later launched to help raise money to get the business back on its feet.

Mr Salter and his family have been running the funfair for the last 45 years and said he had just invested his last savings in it, spending about £30,000 to revamp the facilities.

The campaign raised more than £3,000 in a bid to repair the damage caused by the fire.

The park reopened in April after a new party room was built.

Fred is now inviting every Southampton resident to the park to enjoy three free goes on the rides at the park.

He said: "We have had such wonderful support from the public and this is our way of saying thank you.

"We want to invite everyone in Southampton down so that everyone can have three free goes here at the park.

"It's going to be a special day and it is our own little way of saying thank you.

"We are so thankful for all of the public's support."

As previously reported, a total of 139 people donated £2,000 in little more than 24 hours after backing the online appeal.

The money was later upped to £3,370 which was all donated to the park to go towards the revamp.