DEFIANT players at Lye Cricket Club have declared it is “business as usual” after a devastating suspected arson attack wrecked its new £230k pavilion.

The pavilion - which was constructed just three years ago to replace a building destroyed in a similar blaze - went up in smoke on Sunday August 11 at 3am - causing around £60k of damage.

But heartbroken club members have vowed to play on and have continued staging matches at the Stourbridge Road ground - with an annual beer festival later this month also set to go ahead.

Club secretary Jake Hanson said: “We had just got everything rebuilt - after the last fire the membership was nearly non-existent but since the numbers have increased significantly and we have been doing so well - then this goes and happens.

“But we won’t let these people stop us - the beer festival is a major fundraiser for us - so it will go ahead and we want people to support it.

“We want to get across that it’s business as usual.”

The blaze started in a plastic litter bin at the front of the building, spreading through wooden decking and into the pavilion, which was built in 2010 thanks to fundraising and grants.

A passing police patrol spotted smoke and alerted fire crews.

Jake said: “If it wasn’t for the police spotting it the whole place would have gone up in flames so we have got to be thankful it wasn’t worse.”

Fixtures and fittings in the pavilion’s lounge have been destroyed as has the ceiling, which had to be pulled down by Stourbridge firefighters as they fought the flames.

The £60k damage is expected to be covered by insurance - in the meantime players are using Lye Town Football Club facilities and will erect a second marquee to house the Black Country Beer Festival.

On August 22, 23, 24, the festival will feature around 50 real ales, ciders and wines, as well as hot food, and bands.

For details visit www.blackcountrybeerfestival.com