VANDALS targeted a Wirral cricket club on Saturday evening with police officers confirming that a group of youths set a sight screen on fire.

Officers are now appealing for information following the incident at Parkfield Liscard Cricket Club's Pemberton Meadows ground in Central Park.

Emergency services were called at around 8.35pm following reports that the structure had been set alight by the youths who then managed to escape from members at the club.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) attended and extinguished the fire and the area was searched for the offenders.

Patrols remained in the area in the evening and enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.

Community Policing Inspector, Alan McKeon, said: “This was a despicable, dangerous and completely unnecessary act of criminal damage against a valued community sports club.

"It has been difficult enough for our local organisations to get back to normality in recent months, and the club now faces further stress, inconvenience and costs.

“We’re keen to speak to anyone who knows who may have been responsible, plus those in the area who may have seen or captured images of a group of youths on Saturday evening. We will take action on all information provided so please come forward.”

A tweet from the club's Twitter account shared images of the fire and read: "You simply can’t have anything nice these days."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 21000632614.

You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.