A VILLAGE cricket club is making contingency plans after suffering costly damage in a suspected arson attack.

Fire crews were called to tackle a blaze which broke out in the scorebox of the former colliery welfare ground at South Hetton, County Durham, in the early hours of Monday.

The fire gutted the scorebox and thousands of pounds worth of cricket equipment stored inside, including practice nets, wicket covers, tarpaulins, and advertising hoardings.

Club secretary Ken Taylor said "mindless arsonists" would not force the closure of the club, but said some games may have to be cancelled.

The Durham Senior League club may be forced to demolish the entire building and makeshift arrangements are now being made for a scoreboard.

Police, who are treating the incident as suspicious, have spoken to several local people over the incident and inquiries are continuing.