Police suspect a fire which gutted a cricket pavilion may have been started by arsonists.

Scenes-of-crime officers investigated the burnt-out premises in Upperton, near Petworth, and police conducted house to house inquiries in the area.

A woman out walking her dog spotted the pavilion in flames and alerted West Sussex firefighters at 5.45am yesterday morning.

PC Trevor Pritchard, of Midhurst police, who has been conducting the investigation, said: "Half the perimeter was left standing but everything inside has gone."

A fireworks display had been held next to the pavilion on Monday evening and fireworks were found inside the building.

However, the display was reported to have finished by 9pm on Bonfire Night and the blaze at the pavilion was not reported until several hours later.

Anyone with information should call PC Pritchard on 0845 6070999.