POLICE are seeking witnesses following a serious fire at Harrogate Cricket Club on Friday night (30 May 2008).

At around 11:30pm the pavilion at the club was reported to be on fire. The building was severely damaged by the blaze and an investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway as it is believed to be suspicious.

Shortly before the fire was discovered three youths were seen leaving the cricket grounds via the main gate onto St George’s Road. All three of the youths are described as having a slim build and being between 5ft 2in and 5ft 5in in height. They were all wearing dark hoodies.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or who may have been in the area at the time the fire was discovered, should contact DI Dave Horne at Harrogate CID on 0845 6060247 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Harrogate Cricket Club has issued the following statement from Miles Rawlings, Chairman of the club:

"It was very sad to watch 112 years of History go up in flames on Friday night. Our pavilion had been used by many greats of the game including Herbert Sutcliffe and Sir Len Hutton and in more modern times Sir Ian Botham and Sir Viv Richards. It has accommodated Yorkshire county games over many years and witnessed the annual Harrogate Cricket festivals which were the highlight of our summer from 1974 to 1996. We will now need to gather our thoughts and work out how we can rebuild a new pavilion which can reflect the glories of the past while being relevant to our current and future needs as a centre of cricket excellence for the Harrogate area and North Yorkshire."