WATCHET Cricket Club lost equipment that will cost at least £1,000 to replace when a storage shed on the Watchet Memorial Ground was burned down last Friday night.

Police are treating the incident as criminal damage and are appealing for information and witnesses.

The shed, situated next to Watchet Youth Club, contained club equipment including a throwing and catching aid, a mat for the training net, spring-back stumps and other cricket gear.

Club captain Martin Strong said that the shed and all the equipment were destroyed: “The general view is that the fire was started deliberately as a piece of senseless vandalism.

“Apparently a nearby hedge was also set on fire not long afterwards. We have had other vandalism but not recently has it been as bad as this”

An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: “Inquiries are now taking place and we would appeal to anyone who saw suspicious activity around Watchet Memorial Ground in the early hours to contact us. The reference number is 5219/205365.”

An appeal for funds to replace the shed and equipment was launched this week on social media.