A CLEAN-UP operation is underway at a vandal-hit community centre today after firebug thieves torched a car and flames caused damage to the social club.

A CLEAN-UP operation is underway at a vandal-hit community centre today after firebug thieves torched a car and flames caused damage to the social club.

Firefighters arrived after committee members at Westgate Ward Social Club had yesterday held a meeting a few hours earlier at the building in Prospect Road.

The Vauxhall Astra - believed to have been stolen from a woman in Norwich Road - was totally destroyed in the blaze.

Part of the club became smoke-logged after a fire door was also broken in the incident.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Fire Service confirmed the cause of the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Club secretary Fred Hignett was woken at 2.30am with a call from the emergency services, and he arrived to find they had extinguished the blaze and left.

As he surveyed the damage today, he believed joyriding youngsters stole the car and drove it to Prospect Road before torching it.

Recalling recent damage to other cars in Norwich Road and Lavenham Road, he said: "It's the state of the town really - everywhere in town has become a victim of yob culture.

"When I got here the flames had gone. I should think it will cost about £800 to replace the fire door, and some pipes and cables were also burned."

Four closed circuit television cameras monitor the scene outside the club during daylight.

But in the wake of the incident lights are to be installed as well.

Vandals have also fired ball bearing guns and damaged windows at the club in recent weeks.