A historic pub destroyed by fire is at the centre of an arson investigation.

A blaze ripped through the George and Dragon pub on Rainow Road in Higher Hurdsfield on Monday night.

Firefighters from five crews battled through the night to control the inferno.

 

Now a joint police and fire investigation found the ​blaze was started deliberately.

Detectives are now hunting those responsible and appealing for witnesses.

The fire ravage​d​ the building, parts of which are thought to be 400​-​years​-​old.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said: "Following an investigation by fire and rescue officers the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.  It is now under investigation by the police."

Anyone with any information is urged to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 745 of January 19.