DEVASTATED tennis players are looking at moving into a temporary home after their clubhouse was gutted by fire.

Teenage drug addicts are believed to have caused the late night blaze which destroyed the pavilion at Alsager Tennis Club.

The fire was started four days before the start of the new season, and destroyed seats, changing rooms, a kitchen, carpets and the back wall.

The club was unable to obtain insurance for the wooden building, and leaders are considering putting in a lottery bid for funds to create a new pavilion.

They are also looking at setting up temporary home in a portacabin, and members will discuss the way forward at next week's annual meeting.

Tennis club chairman Dave Parkinson said he was 'absolutely distraught' when he saw the extent of damage that had been done to the clubhouse.

"We have had problems with people breaking in and taking drugs when the clubhouse was not being used," he said.

"Someone broke in again, and built a fire about midnight, which almost burnt down the building, which is now unusable."

He claimed that crime at the club and adjacent bowling club had increased since town centre CCTV cameras moved the yobs to other areas..

Anyone who would like to offer the club help is asked to contact Mr Parkinson on 01270-877403.