Heartbreak at loss of venue

Sportsmen and women today spoke of their heartbreak at the loss of the leisure club at the heart of the community.

See also: Sports centre wrecked in blaze

The centre was officially opened by Stourport Hockey Club star and Olympic gold medallist Imran Sherwani in 1999, and has since been the base for hundreds of athletes, football and netball players as well as cycling enthusiasts.

Andrew Priest, athletics coach for Kidderminster and Stourport Athletics Club, said today he "could not believe" what had happened.

"It is just so heartbreaking because we have got a good local sports facility and we are trying to help young people in the area," he added.

Mrs Terri Baron, a 47-year-old player with Stourport Hockey Club who helped put together a bid for lottery funding for the club, said: "The club is used every night of the week."

Rob Lashford, a director of the sports club and representative for the hockey club, said: "We will be putting in place temporary arrangements and pulling together to get things back to normal.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council cabinet member for property and operational services, said: "This was a wonderful facility for the district and the many clubs which use it and I hope that it can be rebuilt."