A cricket pavilion almost rebuilt after an arson attack last summer was burnt to the ground today.

Police are treating the blaze at Crawley Cricket Club's Goff Park pavilion as suspicious.

Four fire crews battled for several hours after receiving a call to the park in the Southgate area of town at 4.54am.

After the blaze was extinguished, detectives began investigating its cause.

In June, the building was severely damaged by firebugs.

Players were able to use the pitch for the remainder of the season but had to change in temporary huts.

However, the club faced losses of £3,000 because equipment in the building had not been insured.

The club had hoped to be running again before Easter but this now appears to be dashed.

A spokeswoman for Crawley Borough Council, which owns the pavilion, said the council was "absolutely appalled" by the fire.

She said the pavilion was due to be rebuilt in the next few months and would have been equipped with the latest fire detection systems.

Head of amenity services John Palmer said: "We deplore this mindless vandalism.

"We cannot believe people can be so heartless."

A police spokesman said: "The fire brigade have described the fire as of doubtful origin.

"We have a CID officer on the scene and our scenes of crime team is down there."