THE chairman of a long-established Stourport football club has vowed not to be beaten after vital equipment was torched in a suspected arson attack.

More than by £3,500 will now have to be found by Mostyn Rangers FC to replace a cabin destroyed by vandals, as well as items including goal nets, footballs and training kit lost in last Friday's blaze.

The Minster Road club, which was formed in 1974, suffered a similar incident in 1997 and is continually fighting vandalism.

About 180 youngsters, aged between seven and 16, make up the squads of 12 teams that take to the field every week in the Stourport Boys League.

Chairman, Derrick Senior, who has been at the club for 15 years, warned the club's resilience could not go on forever without more help to tackle the vandals.

The 65-year-old, who also helps run two men's teams, said: "I keep saying they will never beat us and I am still determined but it cannot go on forever because everyone has a limit. We are having break-ins and vandalism two or three time a week.

"I understand it is difficult but we need more help from the police. We are not asking for much - just if they drove by and had a walk around for 10 minutes every night to act as a deterrent."

Mr Senior said other Wyre Forest football clubs had offered to share pitches and equipment for the remainder of the season.

Alec Mackie, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, said 15 firefighters from Kidderminster and Stourport were called to tackle the blaze.

Julie Wedgbury, spokeswoman for West Mercia Constabulary, confirmed the incident was being treated as arson and appealed for anyone with information to contact Kidderminster police on 08457 44488.