AN Abergavenny youth football team have been left homeless after arsonists destroyed their clubhouse.

The Llanfoist Youth Football Team turned up for play on Sunday to find their changing and shower facilities devastated.

The team's goalposts, nets and footballs were also ruined in the attack, which happened at around 11am on October 24.

Chris Wilkins is assistant coach of the Under 10s team.

He said: "The place is beyond repair and will have to be demolished. "More than 50 kids rely on the clubhouse to get changed, shower and use the toilets during and after games - now they will have nowhere.

"It's particularly difficult at this time of year as the weather means they get very dirty."

It will cost more than £30,000 to replace the clubhouse, which is owned by Llanfoist community council.

Police believe the fire began after rubbish was set alight on the clubhouse's balcony.

Now Mr Wilkins is appealing for anyone who can help the team to get in touch.

He said: "We just don't know we are going to manage at the moment. It's so unfair on the kids. People attack youngsters for not doing anything constructive, but these kids are and that's been taken away from them."

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon said: "This was a senseless attack. "We are appealing for anybody in the area on that Sunday morning who saw anything suspicious to come forward."

The blaze is the second serious arson attack in Llanfoist in the past month. On October 4, the premises of Llanfoist-based DT Civils was broken into and an accelerant used to destroy a demountable building.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents can call police on 01873 852273.