POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack after part of a disused and derelict pub was went up in flames.

Firefighters were called to the former County Hotel pub, off Harden Park in Alderley Edge, at around 7.30pm on Wednesday (September 20).

The crew from Wilmslow set about extiguishing the blaze, which involved a small wooden external canopy on the building.

The pub has lain empty and fallen into disrepair since its closure in 2009, but it has been the subject of a series of planning applications to replace it with a residential development.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A fire involving the exterior of a disused building is believed to have been started deliberately.

"The crew used a hose reel jet to put out the fire and informed police of the incident."

Knutsford Guardian: The County Hotel in 2021The County Hotel in 2021 (Image: Google)

A Cheshire Police spokesman urged anyone with information about the incident to get in touch.

He said: "At 7.50pm on Wednesday, September 20, police were called to reports of a fire at a disused building near Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge.

"The fire involved a small wooden external canopy at the front of the building which was quickly extinguished.

"The incident is believed to be suspicious and anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, or at cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML 1649746."