A troop of Scouts has been left homeless after their hut was destroyed by arsonists.

Equipment worth tens of thousands of pounds and memorabilia from throughout the 9th Bexhill Scout group's 80-year history were destroyed in a huge blaze which spread through part of the Beeching Road industrial estate in Bexhill last night.

Members of the Scout group said they were devastated by what had happened as they tried to come to terms with it today.

Group Scout Leader Janice Gammon said: "It's sickening. I was here when it happened and could do nothing about it. I just had to stand back and watch as all that history and hard work went up in smoke."

Dozens of families were evacuated from their homes near the timber hut in Wainwright Road as more than 70 firefighters battled against the blaze for four hours overnight on Sunday.

The fire started in a public recycling bin and spread among a pile of thousands of plastic recycling boxes and wheelie bins which were being stored by Rother District Council in the car park next to the Scout hut. They were due to be distributed to houses in the district in the next few weeks.

As the flammable plastic burned it released toxic smoke and the Environment Agency was called to supervise the operation.

When the fire had been put out a layer of melted plastic over a foot deep was left where the bins had been.

Mrs Gammon said: "You could see that it was going to spread. It just got nearer and nearer the hut and eventually the building caught light."

The hut was completely gutted and three lorries parked in the car park were also torched. The heat from the fire scorched trees nearby but no-one was hurt.

More than fifty people called the emergency services after the fire took hold at 10.30pm and several reported hearing a series of explosions.

Residents from neighbouring houses were only allowed to return to their homes once the whole site had been made safe.

The power supply to the area was shut down for six hours yesterday morning while safety repair work was carried out.

Sussex Police said the fire seemed to have been deliberately started. An investigation has been launched.

Inspector Howard Nevill said: "This was an extremely nasty incident which could have had more serious consequences.

The force is conducting house to house enquiries and wants to hear from anyone who saw people hanging around in the area before the fire.

Anyone with information should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Hazard or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Scouts District Commissioner Cliff Wilson said the hut was insured but it would take a long time before a new facility would be ready.

In the meantime the cubs, scouts and explorers from more than 70 families who use the facility have been offered a temporary home by nearby 2nd Bexhill Scouts.

Mr Wilson said: "It is an awful shock for everyone but we are doing our damndest to get everything back up and running."

Mr Wilson said the group would welcome any support from the community. Anyone interested in helping should call him on 01435 882126.

Are you a member of 9th Bexhill Scouts, or a former member? Comment on this story at www.theargus.co.uk