A fire has devastated the clubhouse of Tunbridge Wells Football Club.

The blaze broke out just after 9pm with smoke and flames seen billowing from the roof of the building in Culverden Down.

At its peak, the fire was tackled by four fire engines and a water bowser, with crews also using breathing apparatus and compressed air foam.

The flames were extinguished by midnight and this morning the community is left contemplating its loss.

Colleagues at the Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club have already tweeted their sympathy as did Hawkenbury Football Club who posted: "Awful news guys. Hope this is sorted sooner rather than later and this fantastic club can be up and running again."

Fortunately there were no injuries.

Phil Allcorn is an administrator with the club.

He said: "It's a real blow. Obviously it was dark last night so we haven't been able to fully assess the damage. We will be going over today to see how bad it is.

"We were alerted about 9.30pm. Apparently people playing football on a 3G pitch at a nearby school saw the flames and phoned it in.

"At the moment we don't know the cause or even where it started."

The single-storey building contained a bar and toilets. The changing facilities are elsewhere.

Mr Allcorn said: "The loss of the building will be very difficult because we hire it out for functions - my own children had a birthday party there just recently.

He said: "We had a lot of bookings lined up that will now probably have to be cancelled."

Club supporter Marc Gilbert has set up a JustGiving fundraising appeal to help the club reciver. He has set target of £10,000, saying: "The club house had only recently been refurbished thorough a lot of time and effort personally from the club chairman and club secretary and other club officers and supporters.

"This is terrible situation and any help no matter how small would be a massive help to get the club back up on its feet."

You can donate to the appeal here.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.