ARSONISTS have been blamed for a blaze early today which caused extensive damage to a parish hall used as a base for a children's club and playgroup.

A gang of about 20 youths are believed to have broken into the hall in Tithe Barn Street, Westhoughton, shortly after midnight before starting four fires.

The blaze spread throughout the building during the night but the alarm was not raised until 7.40am today when staff and parents started to arrive for the Kids Club which meets before and after school.

Firefighters helped staff from the club and Tithe Barn Tots playgroup to retrieve some items, but most of the toys, equipment and paperwork inside were destroyed by the fire which had burnt itself out through the night.

The arsonists had broken into the rear of the hall before ransacking cupboards, emptying drawers and throwing paper onto the floor. The four fires were started in different locations.

The main seat of fire was in a cabinet of drawers which has been destroyed, as well as a stack of chairs which were melted. Other fires were started on a work surface and in a storage room.

Sub-officer Darren Baird, of Atherton Fire Station, said: "There is no doubt that this was malicious. It's just a shame nobody phoned the brigade earlier because the fire has been burning slowly and steadily since 3am. This is just wanton vandalism."

The Kids Club, which has met at the hall for the past four years, was due to move out in two weeks after plans were announced to sell the building to a housing developer.

They hoped to move into a council-owned building in nearby Central Drive later today, providing a fire safety inspection proved successful.

But the playgroup, which provides care for 40 children aged from two and a half to five years of age, has nowhere to go as the Youth Services building is not considered suitable for young children.

Catherine Renton, who runs the pre-school and after-school club, said: "This is the straw that has broken the camel's back. We've had to go through so much with having to find somewhere else to go and then this has happened."

Sharon Ward, who has run the playgroup with her friend Sheila Hart for 15 years, said: "This is the final straw. We're gutted and have nowhere to go."

Any parents collecting their children from the after-school club today should go to the Central Drive building.

The playgroup is appealing for help from anyone who can lend them a temporary room in Westhoughton. Sheila Hart can be contacted on 01942 811302.