A WARRANT was issued yesterday for a teenager who started a fire which caused £15,000 damage at a village cricket club.

The scorebox and a large amount of stored equipment were badly damaged in the blaze at the Colliery Welfare ground used by Durham Senior League club South Hetton earlier this year.

Anthony Cross, 18, admitted arson at a recent hearing before magistrates in Peterlee, but failed to turn up for sentence at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Gerard Harkins issued a warrant for the arrest of Cross, of Bevan Square, South Hetton, but said it could be backed by bail so he does not have to remain in custody prior to sentence.