CRICKET bosses have told how an arson attack on their club will cost them thousands of pounds.

A scoreboard, 12ft high and 15ft wide, was destroyed in the blaze and a storage area was also damaged.

Firefighters were called to the Bolton Indian Cricket Club in Hacken Lane, Darcy Lever, just after 4am on Saturday after it was targeted by arsonists.

Bosses say the damage runs into thousands of pounds and that fixtures will be disrupted.

Club chairman Jimmy Wray said: “The scoreboard has been burnt to a cinder, that alone is worth £2,000.

“But it is not the cost, it is what it means to the club.

“A scoreboard is a necessity at a cricket club. We will play cricket under any circumstance, and we have a temporary scoreboard which can be used.”

A police investigation has been launched into the fire.

Mr Wray said: “It is upsetting when something like this happens. This club is well used by children and is a community facility.”

Additional security is now planned for the club, including CCTV cameras.

The club was formed in 1952 by a group of Indian men.

It now has more than 170 members as well as children’s teams and a ladies team.

Mr Wray said all members of the community were welcome to join the club.