by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

The sports pavilion at Charing was destroyed in a fire over the weekend - with much of the club's memorabilia destroyed by the flames.

Crews from Ashford fire station were among the five teams sent to the scene at Arthur Baker Field at 7.30am on Sunday.

Chairman of the sports club for the last 40 years, Rob Cook, said: "I can't really feel angry because I don't know if it's arson yet so I feel very upset.

"It's devastating, not just for me and the teams but the people who hire the pavilion out.

"We had an awards evening here on Saturday night and we got some pictures of how it looked so I'm glad we have them to remember it by."

The club on The Moat is used by two football teams, a bowls club, a tennis club and a cricket club. It had recently been refurbished.

Charing Cricket Club captain Dave Riley said: "We've lost all our equipment in the fire and we had a game organised for Sunday, but luckily we were able to play that in Pluckley.

"I don't know what's going to happen from here - the grounds are all right to play on, but the building's just completely gutted. Maybe they'll get some temporary ones in, I don't know. It was the old pavilion which I think dates back to the 1960s or 70s but it's funny how much you miss it when it's gone."

The cause of the blaze is now being investigated by Kent Fire and Rescue Service.