A CHURCH hall has been demolished after it was gutted by fire following an arson attack.

Children are thought to have been responsible for the blaze which gutted the hall adjacent to St Agnes' Church, in Easterside, Middlesbrough.

The fire was started in the cavity wall and licked up the wooden structure, which set the roof alight and created large clouds of black smoke.

Two fire crews from Middlesbrough were called out just after 7.30pm on Friday.

"The building was well alight when we got there because there was a lot of combustible material," said Station Officer Ron Carr.

"Luckily, the main church didn't catch fire as well, and it was very fortunate that no one was injured.

"It was too hazardous for us to go inside because the roof was on fire and could have collapsed, so we had to tackle it from the outside."

The building, in Broadwell Road, was worth £91,000 and was used by many community groups for activities such as karate, community council meetings and children's parties.

The Reverend Paul Mothersdale said he would try to accommodate the groups within the church, but he expressed his dismay at the fire, which has left the council estate without any community facilities.

He said: "I understand that they are only youngsters, but it is a shame they felt this was a good way to pass the time.

"There are far more constructive things to do and there are opportunities available to kids on the estate other than playing with fire."

Mr Mothersdale said the church has been plagued by problems with vandals since he arrived in 2000.

He said it was not uncommon to find broken windows and graffiti.

The last fire was on November 5 last year, when a fire door was set alight.

Mr Mothersdale is currently involved in submitting a bid for National Lottery money to improve the facilities at the church for the people on the estate.

He said: "It is ironic that I was only discussing ways to extend the facility for the community that very morning, and now it is gone."

Two 12-year-old boys arrested after the fire have been released on police bail.

Cleveland Police are appealing for with anyone with information to contact Middlesbrough CID on (01642) 303342