CRICKET club bosses are devastated after arsonists targeted their training facilities, causing thousands of pounds in damage.

Vandals struck at Clacton Cricket Club’s nets at Vista Road recreation ground.

They piled up plastic on the artificial playing surface before torching it.

The attack on the £50,000 training facility has hit club bosses for six.

Manager Gary Kirk said: “The fencing around the facility was ripped up so they could get in.

“They set fire to a load of plastic bottles so it melted the playing surface.

“It means one side of the facility can’t be used.”

The club is a regular target for vandals. Three years ago, £8,000 pitch covers were dumped on the nearby railway line.

Mr Kirk said the latest attack would cause “huge problems” for the club.

“We haven’t a clue who’s done it, but they knew what they were doing because they lit the fire exactly where a batsman stands to play his shots,” he said.

“Our facilities get vandalised a lot, but this is by far the most expensive problem we’ve had to deal with.

“We put so much effort into everything and then you get wanton vandalism for no reason at all.”

The club is not insured and bosses say red tape means they can’t use barbed wire to keep out intruders.

“We can’t protect the facility because of ridiculous health and safety rules, so we have to put up with it,” said Mr Kirk.

“It’s potentially disastrous.

“We’re not a rich club. We’ll lose members because they won’t be able to practise.”

The attack was discovered before Saturday’s East Ang-lian Premier League match against Cambridge Granta.

Mr Kirk said it would be a struggle to find funding for the repairs.

“We haven’t a clue where we are going to find the money from,” he said.

“It could take months, or it might never get done.”