ARSONISTS have struck again at the Wych Centre - just months after the building was completely gutted by a blaze.

The youth club committee was left with a £50,000 bill after arsonists destroyed the centre last August - just weeks before the committee's 25th birthday.

Since then committee members and the town's youths have worked tirelessly to raise money and rebuild the centre.

But in the early hours of last Sunday the centre was again devastated as flames tore through it.

Middlewich Fire Station commander Paul Winder said: "The fire started on the roof which then fell through causing severe damage to the interior.

"There is no reason why the fire should have started."

Committee chairman, Jean Eaton, said: "We are all very upset and I feel particularly bad for Merle Ikin and the girls who have worked so hard and were looking forward to getting the centre up and running again."

The committee were due to meet yesterday evening to decide on what steps to take.

Town mayor Clr Dave Sutton said: "The people who have done this are scumbags - I could use stronger language, but I won't.

"Someone knows who was out at around 5.30am and they must contact the police. Arson puts the fire service at risk, not to mention if someone was in the building - it is only a matter of time until someone gets hurt or killed."