A suspected arson attack on a cricket pavilion sparked a health and safety scare.

Firefighters feared potentially-dangerous asbestos may have been released when they were called to a blaze at Baxters field off Bradford Road, Lewes, on Friday night.

Flames had engulfed the pavilion in just over two hours, leaving only a burned out shell.

Health and safety experts were called to the site on Saturday to examine the debris. Traces of non-dangerous asbestos were found in cement used to make the walls and roof of the building.

Lewes District Council' s head of environmental health, Ian Kedge, said: "We called in specialist contractors who confirmed the presence of asbestos. However, because of the type of asbestos the risks are small."

Police are investigating the cause of the fire, which they suspect may have been started deliberately.