FIVE men have been charged with the burglary and arson of an archery club in Runcorn.

The accused are alleged to have caused £50,000 worth of damage to Kyujutsu Archery Club, in Castlefields Avenue East, on April 23 last year.

Firefighters from Runcorn, Widnes and Penketh fire stations spent two and a half hours tackling the blaze after being called out at 1.15am.

The quintet are also alleged to have stolen archery equipment, tools and other assorted items to the value of £5,420.

Jamie Bennett, 30 and of The Knoll; Daniel Henderson, 18 and of Wheatlands; Robert Lingham, 19 and of Pitt Street, St Helens; and Michael Wigley, 31 and of Coral Avenue, Huyton, are all set to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Thursday.

They will be joined by a 17-year-old male from Runcorn, who cannot be named for legal reasons.