The roof of Claygate Cricket Club was "heavily damaged" in a fire this morning which police say may have been started deliberately.

Nine fire engines and four specialist vehicles were sent to the cricket pavilion in Claygate Recreation Ground in Church Road after firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 3.39am.

The rest of the building has been affected by heat and water, according to a spokesman from Surrey Fire and Rescue.

Crews from Esher, Painshill, Walton, Epsom, Woking, Staines, Banstead and two engines from Guildford attended.

The cricket club appealed to the public to report anything suspicious the night before to Surrey Police.

The club said the fire was "absolutely devastating", adding that "all signs so far are that the pavilion will need a full rebuild".

A fire investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "Dalmore Avenue is currently closed while emergency services deal with the incident. Officers believe the fire may have been started deliberately."

A statement from the club read: "The alert came from a cricket club member who lives close to the Recreation Ground.

"40 firefighters tackled the fire – which as of 9.00 this morning is now under control.

Claygate Cricket Club president Steve Wells said: "This is devastating news. The clubhouse was opened in 2012 after a major fundraising campaign involving the Cricket Club, Claygate Royals Football Club, the local Claygate community and Elmbridge Borough Council. We've been incredibly proud of our new facility.

"With a cafe operating in the building throughout the week it has become a focal point for village life.

"Now this has happened and it’s hard to believe how much damage has been brought about in those few short hours.

"However, the existing concrete footprint of the building is still there, as are the walls so we do have something to start from in the future. Unfortunately at the moment it doesn't look like there will be much else able to be saved."

Helen Maguire, chairman of Claygate Recreation Ground Trust who manages the ground on behalf of Elmbridge Borough Council said: "This is tragic news. There will be a huge amount of work ahead of us and we will need the community to work together again to help us rebuild."

Surrey Fire Brigade are currently investigating the cause but it is being treated as suspicious. They added that this was a difficult fire to extinguish due to the construction of the roof and access to the inside of the building.

Claygate councillor Mary Marshall tweeted a photo of the badly burnt clubhouse, calling it a "travesty".

She said: "I got a phone call very early this morning so I went down there and it was horrendous. It's so sad. 

"I've spoken to the trustees and a trustee who knows the woman who runs the cafe, and she now unemployed and has no livelihood.

"We're trying to find her somthing in the village. It is what it is."

Claygate Primary School said there would be no access via the Recreation Ground this morning, and advised parents and children to use Foley Road instead.

Claygate Council also tweeted about the fire. A statement read: "The Council is shocked and saddened about fire overnight which seriously damaged the Community Clubhouse at the Claygate Recreation Ground."

The clubhouse, which opened at a cost of £350,000, was opened in May 2012 by Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab.

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting P16254151.