Police are investigating after arsonists set fire to a park pavilion.

Officers were called to the blaze in the recreation ground in The Avenue in Hersden, near Canterbury, after firefighters raised concerns.

It started between 10pm on Wednesday and 5.55am on Thursday morning. There were no reported injuries.

Investigators from both the fire service and police have since examined the scene and the incident is being treated as an arson.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said: "The pavilion in the village has been subject to arson. This isn't the first time something has happened to this building.

"In the last year, it has been broken into where all the wiring and boilers were stripped, and it has now been set fire too.

"The council were in the middle of refurbishing it so that Chislet FC could continue to use the football pitches. But this has pushed it all back further.

"The pavilion has always been apart of the village and, minus a few minor incidents, it has never been under attack the way it has recently - it's such a shame."

Anyone with any information about the incident, or who may have CCTV from the area at that time, is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/54506/20.

You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete an online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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