ARSONISTS were last night being blamed for a forest fire which destroyed trees at a Merseyside golf club.

Officials said the deliberate blaze at Formby Golf Club caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

It consumed a large area of tinder dry woodland.

And there were fears the 10ft high flames would engulf the prestigious course and neighbouring land.

Firefighters said the 18-hole course, located on a Special Site of Scientific Interest, lost a number of valuable trees. But the full extent of the damage has not yet been established.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue sent three engines to the blaze after receiving an emergency call last Thursday.

Firefighters spent six hours damping down the scorched ground to make sure the flames did not re-ignite.

For the club's secretary manager Chris Barker the fire brought back painful memories of the 2006 blaze that burned for 11 days.

The fire, which cost the club tens of thousand of pounds, threatened a number of properties at the bottom of Fisherman's Path and even singed the course fairways, forcing the club to shut down part of the course.

Mr Barker said: “We are working closely with Merseyside Fire and Rescue, Merseyside Police and the community to prevent any more fires on what is private property this summer.”