Arsonists started a blaze which wrecked offices owned by a leading children's charity.

The fire cost the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children thousands of pounds.

Services for children in care and a domestic abuse project had to be cancelled following the blaze in part of the NSPCC building in Broadfield, Crawley.

The charity will have to find somewhere else to hold the sessions until the damage is repaired.

Flames ruined children's toys and play equipment, furniture and office materials.

The single-storey building was used by the NSPCC for supervised visits between children in care and their parents because it gave the families privacy.

It was part of a courtyard of buildings owned by the charity near Broadfield Stadium.

NSPCC spokesman Tracy Cadman said: "The building was ideal because people did not get interrupted by others coming in and out.

"We have had to cancel the meetings we planned for this week and are now trying to find somewhere else. It will be difficult because there is nowhere else that is so perfectly suitable.

"It makes me angry that people can do something like this without thinking of the consequences.

"Children are the ones who are suffering because of it."

Police investigating the fire are trying to trace a clock which had been hanging on the wall of the building.

It is about ten inches in diameter and has a blue surround.

It was seen on the ground in Broadfield Park, which runs behind the NSPCC buildings shortly after the fire, but by the time fire crews had put out the blaze and returned to check the area it had disappeared.

Ms Cadman said: "Police are keen to stress that whoever has picked up the clock will not face prosecution but it may have vital forensic evidence.

"We just need whoever picked it up to take it to their nearest police station so it can be examined."

The cost of the toys, furniture and equipment lost is at least £6,000 and the building itself may have to be pulled down.

Anyone with information about the fire, which happened at about 2.30am yesterday, should call Crawley CID on 0845 6070999.

West Sussex Fire Brigade received several calls after a fire broke out at a disused garage at a car park beside Haywards Heath station.

The fire started at the derelict building at about 2pm yesterday and was burning fiercely when Haywards Heath fire crews arrived. But it was quickly brought under control.