THE council could be forced to bring in 24-hour security to protect a community centre from vandals while it is rebuilt following a fire.

The Tanterton Community Centre, Kidsgrove, Ingol, was badly damaged in a blaze, thought to be started by arsonists.

Now the centre, previously used by about 250 people a week and home to many local groups and societies, is to be rebuilt.

But council chiefs are concerned about the threat of more vandalism and hope to protect the site with round-the-clock security -- costing £250 a day.

Councillor Ron Marshall, Ingol representative, said: "We think that possibly the best way round it is to have one of these security agencies looking after it.

"Local people are very reluctant to talk about it because they're frightened of reprisals if they discuss who might have been responsible for the fire.

"They don't say very much but we do gather there have been some threats of further vandalism. So we think this is possibly the best solution."

The Ingol area has suffered from a number of fires in recent months including the local Spar shop, which was burnt to the ground, and fires started in dustbins.

But locals were shocked when the community centre, described as the 'best performing' in a recent council report, was damaged in the fire on Saturday, February 8.

Denise Hartley, centre project manager for the Ingol and Tanterton Action Group said: "I was very saddened to hear what had happened.

"The centre was used by everyone from children to 80 or 90 year olds. But everyone is rallying round to support one another.

"I can't comprehend really to the reasons why it happened. It's a community centre and only serves the local community and the people who live in it."

Councillors will decide on the security plans at a series of meetings this month.