VANDALS are being held responsible for a blaze that caused thousands of pounds damage at a storage shed at Southampton's sports centre.

About a dozen fibre glass boats, goal netting and other equipment were destroyed in the fire that engulfed the corrugated shed by the boating lake which is sandwiched between the athletics track and the second hole on the 18 hole public golf course.

A man walking his dog shortly after dawn alerted the emergency services to the drama on Saturday morning via his mobile phone. Staff working on the course also reported seeing smoke coming from the building.

Two appliances from Redbridge Fire Station dashed to the scene.