FIRE crews from across North Yorkshire today spent more than two hours tackling a blaze at a cricket club which is thought to have been started deliberately.

Nawton cricket pavilion, near Helmsley, was destroyed in the fire which broke out just after 5am.

Crews from Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley, Pickering and Malton fought the fire and spent two-and-a-half hours getting it under control.

Adrian Sleightholme, an off-duty firefighter who is based at Kirkbymoorside, and also plays at the club, followed fire crews to the scene.

He said: "The whole building was a complete fireball with flames up to 20 feet in the air.

"The building has been ruined, along with some rubber matting near the pavilion that goes under the swings."

The secretary of the club, Adam Collier, said three lawnmowers had been stolen before the fire. He said the club had just got back on its feet after a similar theft two years ago.

He said: "It is soul destroying. We had lawnmowers stolen two years ago and this time they have burnt it down."

Mr Collier, who had been down to the scene this morning, said two changing rooms were still standing, but he thought they would have to be knocked down, due to the structural damage.

Police are investigating the blaze.

The club was due to play Ravenscar today, but have had to cancel the game.

Updated: 12:04 Saturday, May 03, 2003