OFFICIALS at a football club were yesterday counting the cost of an arson attack at the ground.

Firefighters were called to two fires at Shildon FC's Dean Street ground, where Bishop Auckland also play their home games.

The fires damaged the main stand and a floodlight pylon, leaving both clubs in danger of not being able to complete their home fixtures.

A neighbour spotted smoke and raised the alarm early yesterday afternoon.

Fire crews prevented the flames from ripping through the ground's 80-year-old wooden main stand.

A second fire had been started in a plastic rubbish bin that had been dragged under a pitchside pylon.

Smoke filled the clubhouse underneath the stand and water from firefighters' hoses brought down ceiling tiles in the bar.

Chairman Gordon Hampton yesterday described it as a "malicious" attack.

He said: "We were extremely lucky not to lose the whole stand which, I am told, could have cost £500,000 to replace.

"Fortunately the fire brigade has given us the go ahead and Bishop Auckland's home game on Wednesday is still on.

"I understand the fire engines were here in minutes. They responded very quickly after the neighbour raised the alarm and that saved us."

Sergeant Steve Ball, from Shildon police, appealed for information last night. He said: "We take this sort of damage, especially arson, extremely seriously.

"They set fire to some debris in a top corner of the stand.

"The fire could have been smouldering for a couple of hours and took hold of some wooden planks before it was put out."

Anyone who saw anyone at the ground yesterday morning or early yesterday afternoon is asked to call police on (01325) 304401.