A FIRE which destroyed the pavilion at Tonbridge Cricket Club last night is believed to have been started deliberately.

The alarm was raised at about 10.30pm. Fire crews from Tonbridge, Southborough and Tunbridge Wells went to Poplar Meadow in Welland Road to find the building ablaze.

Potentially explosive carbon dioxide cylinders on the premises were made safe as hose reels and jets were used to fight the flames.

Kent Fire Brigade spokesman Lee Rose said: "At about 2am the roof collapsed, bringing the walls down with it. It was a 20 metre by 10 metre building, and it was virtually destroyed."

Firefighters, backed by relief crews from Medway, remained at the scene all night and were still damping down hotspots several hours after dawn.

Police attended and cordoned off the area as detectives and fire experts began sifting the ruins for possible clues as to how the fire started.

Cricket club spokesman John Simmons, said: "It means all our weekend cricket matches will have to be cancelled."