POLICE have issued a warning in the wake of youths starting fires on the grounds of a village cricket club which is still recovering from a vile vandalism attack last year.

A group of youths reportedly entered the site of Christleton Cricket Club on Wednesday night (October 14).

The club has confirmed that CCTV footage has been passed on to officers.

In December last year more than £30,000 worth of damage was caused to its clubhouse on Little Heath, which included lifesaving defibrillator equipment being destroyed and fire extinguishers set off.

In a Facebook post, Christleton Cricket Club stated: "It's getting close to bonfire night but that's not an excuse to try to light a fire in the grounds of the Sports Club.

"To the eight trespassers that came in at 8.10pm on Wednesday the CCTV footage has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities."

A spokesperson for the club said: "It's taken us nine months to get the club back on its feet by fundraising to cover the costs, we don't want it going up in flames."

Cheshire Constabulary's Chester Villages Police account posted: "Chester village policing are aware of a group of youths setting fires at the Christleton Cricket Club.

"Please be warned I am often on patrol in this area. I have access to very clear CCTV and this often leads to identifying people who may choose to be in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing.

"This is a private club and offences such as criminal damage will be dealt with accordingly."