POLICE are investigating an arson after a shed was set on fire close to Bridport Community Hospital.

Firefighters from Bridport were called to the incident in a field next to Dottery Road at around 2pm this afternoon.

Two crews extinguished the fire in the derelict shed and collapsed the roof of the building to make it safe.

Police were also called to the scene and officers believe the blaze was started deliberately. 

PC Chris Burt, from Dorset Police, said: "We suspect that this is a malicious ignition - so it is going to be treated as an arson.

"We believe that some youths have gone in there and set a small fire in the corner of the shed.

"It has caught alight and the fire has made the shed unstable. The fire service have had to collapse the corrugated roof in order to make it safe."

Witnesses any anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.