CRICKET clubs are holding an emergency meeting after arsonists set fire to one team's pavilion following months of vandalism at various grounds.

Firefighters believe that vandals set alight the pavilion at Smiths Dock Park, Skippers Lane, Normanby, Middlesbrough, in the latest incident.

Furniture was destroyed and changing rooms badly damaged in the blaze on Saturday.

Paul Scrafton, Parklands club secretary, said: "Fortunately we did not have a match, but there is one on Thursday night and there is going to have to be a lot of work done to clear the place up.

"If it is not done, we will be getting changed in cars."

Yesterday, Jeff Kelly, chairman of the Bass Cleveland and Teesside Cricket League, promised to hold a meeting to see what can be done to combat the problem.

Vandalism is a widespread problem among the region's cricket clubs.

Parklands players have had their belongings stolen from the pavilion, and people have attempted to kick down the doors of the pavilion.

Ripon Cricket Club has suffered a series of problems with vandals, including the pitch being deliberately ripped up earlier in the summer.

Another club repeatedly dogged by vandalism is Cowpen Bewley Cricket Club, near Billingham, Teesside.

During the past five years, the club has suffered from people playing golf on the wicket, break-ins, a sight screen being burned, and the club house is often scrawled with graffiti.

Howard Robinson, groundsman at the club, said: "I have had the police here nine times in eight or nine weeks.

"It is very expensive for us being such a small group. It is hard work. I go to the club some days and do not know what to expect.

"I go to cut the grass and end up having to call the police out because something else has happened."

But Mr Kelly, the Teesside league chairman, warned: "Security-wise there is not a great deal we can do, because the pavilions are often in the middle of nowhere. But I will see what I can do about it.