DETECTIVES investigating a suspected arson that destroyed equipment at a junior football club in Tranmere have launched a witness appeal.

Emergency services were called to Victoria Park, home of Victoria Colts Junior Football Club, just after 8.30pm on Friday to reports that an equipment hut was on fire.

The blaze, which Merseyside Fire and Rescue said was a case of "deliberate ignition" destroyed sports equipment including balls, nets, kits and a wheelie bin.

The fire was extinguished and contents to the contained were damaged, including equipment.

Enquiries are ongoing, including forensics and CCTV.

Around 200 children regularly use the club's facilities.

The club has now launched a GoFundMe page as they look to recover from the fire.

So far, more than £10,000 has been raised, thanks to donations from individuals and other sports organisations.

Appealing for witnesses to come forward, Detective Inspector Darren Taylor said: "This reckless behaviour has caused a significant amount of damage and distress to a valued community sports club.

"We're determined to find those responsible, people who clearly have no concept of the awful consequences of their actions, which could also have easily caused serious injury or worse to anyone in the vicinity.

"If you saw anyone hanging around near to the location on Friday night, or captured on CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage anyone who may have been involved, come forward and we will take action.

"Setting wheelie bins and indeed any items alight is extremely dangerous, puts pressure on the emergency services, and deeply affects those targeted."

Anyone with information can contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, or call 101 with reference 21000717818.

You can call also the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

Writing on the club's Facebook page, a spokesperson for Victoria Colts Junior Football Club said over the weekend: "When you get a phone call to say what I can only describe as rats have ruined what we have put together since 1994 .

"Absolutely gutted thank you for stopping our kids playing the sports they love and the coaches who train them stop what they enjoy doing."

A statement on the club's GoFundMe page as they look to recover from the fire.

A statement on the page read: "As a lot of local people have seen, the containers containing all the colts equipment has been subject to an arson attack.

"The club has been using this since 1994 and thousands of kids over the years have been and used this equipment. The goals, nets, balls, flags, ropes, boots, cost of repairing/replacing the containers, the list continues.

"Without this equipment, it is going to be difficult for the hundreds of kids at the club to be able to host games or even train. These kids range from tiny tots through to teenagers and young adults.

"Everyone, everywhere has had some part in youth football but not everyone understands the cost. What these arsonists have done could potentially ruined a large and longstanding local club.

"We ask if you can spare whatever you can afford to help get the vital equipment needed to keep these kids playing football."

A donation of £50 to the campaign came from the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Club who wrote: "We were really sad to see the mindless damage done to the equipment.

"Grass roots football is vital for the larger football picture plus we also support our local kids in teams such as this as it creates a lot more in terms of team building, friendships etc.

"We hope you raise the target quickly and can get back up and running ASAP!"

To support the GoFundMe campaign, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-victoria-colts-get-new-football-equipment