SPORT club members are appealing for help after their pavilion burnt to the ground.

The wooden Lostock Sports Club pavilion, formerly owned by British Aerospace, was destroyed in a suspected arson attack.

But the building, which has been run by ex-workers since 1998, was not insured, leaving several sport teams without any changing facilities.

Member's secretary Rodney Fletcher said teams who played football, cricket, rugby, and bowles, at the pavilion's pitches were devastated. "There are children and adult teams who have been playing there for years and the pavilion's changing facilities were vital," he said. "Now there's nothing left.

"No one would have touched it for insurance because it was such an old building and made of wood. We have been struggling to keep it going in the hope we would get a grant to build a new club eventually." Mr Fletcher said there had been a handful of break-ins in recent months.

"A few weeks ago we found someone had broken in and left an empty bottle of gin, we thought maybe it was kids but they didn't cause any damage.

"It's very upsetting if someone has set fire to it intentionally."

More than 20 firefighters took five hours to put out the fire at the 15ft by 40ft building in Mansell Way, Horwich, which was reported at 9.30pm.

Former workers have been running the club for community use since British Aerospace sold the land to First Direct, a Manchester firm.

Anyone who can help the club can ring Mr Fletcher on 698362.