Arson attack leaves scouts on the streets (From Warrington Guardian)

Arson attack leaves scouts on the streets

A GROUP of scouts have been left without a home and most of their equipment after their scout hut went up in flames.

Arsonists set fire to a motorbike pushed up against the headquarters of the 22nd Warrington east Hollins Green scout group on the recreation ground in the village.

The blaze took hold in the early hours of Sunday and quickly spread to the 40-year-old building completely destroying it and all the equipment inside.

Now scout leaders say they are hoping someone can offer them temporary accommodation to house the 30 youngsters who are due to return from their summer break next Thursday.

Around £5,000 worth of camping equipment, sports equipment and a recent arts and crafts project was all destroyed in the blaze. But more pressing for the group is the need to find somewhere else to meet by September 8 when the cubs and scouts are due to meet.

The scouts had been looking for a new venue before the blaze after a series of recent attacks on the premises which has been broken into four times in the past three months. On one occasion vandals used the scouts' paint to daub graffiti on the wall.

David Taylor, group scout

leader, said: "We have not got a lot of money and some of the graffiti from the last incident was still there. We just need to find somewhere else to go at the moment.

"We have been in touch with other scout groups who will hopefully be able to lend us some camping equipment if needs be."

If anyone is able to help the Hollins Green group contact David Taylor on 0161 7753579.

hcartwright@guardiangrp.co.uk