Arsonists set fire to a storage container at Lichfield Hockey Club, destroying £20,000 worth of equipment used by junior players.

The blaze also damaged the practice area and has left floodlights out of action at the club, which has more than 200 junior members.

Chairman Dave Willenbruch said the ruined equipment was covered by insurance, but that it would be an “enormous task” to replace all that was lost and to clear up the mess.

The vandals stole into the club in Eastern Avenue under cover of darkness at around 9pm on Monday, broke into the storage container and set it ablaze.

Mr Willenbruch added: “The store is surrounded by a wooded area, and whoever did it probably came through the woods and stood watching as it burned.”

The chairman said it had taken 18 months to amass all the equipment contained in the store, including eight sets of goalkeeping kit.

“There was also damage to the electrics controlling the floodlights, which will probably take several weeks to sort out.

“It’s a massive inconvenience for the club, but we’re going to carry on.

“We’ve got Staffordshire ladies’ and men’s league matches taking place every week.”

Mr Willenbruch said he was relieved the expensive astroturf pitch at the hockey club had escaped unscathed.

“It’s £500,000-worth of astroturf which we’ve had for about 18 months.

“Around 200 youngsters enjoy hockey on that pitch on a regular basis.”

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Sam Hastings said crews from Chase Terrace and Lichfield spent almost two hours tackling the fire.

“The incident involved one storage container which was well alight,” she said.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to tackle the fire and they left the scene at around 11.15pm.

“This incident is believed to have been caused deliberately,” she added.

Anybody interested in playing hockey or finding out more about Lichfield Hockey Club can call Mr Willenbruch on 01543 301326.