A £250,000 refurbishment is planned for a village pub after an arson attack destroyed the ground floor.

The Union Pub Company, which owns the George and Dragon on High Street, Tarvin, has said new lease holders will be found for the deserted pub and £250,000 will be spent on renovations.

Arsonists torched the unoccupied building on November 18, gutting the ground floor fixtures and fittings.

The pub had been closed since the summer, after the former landlords left.

Firefighters and police were called to the pub just before midnight on November 18 to find it in flames.

Police believe the firebugs climbed into the pub through a window and that blazes were started behind the bar and in the men's toilets.

A spokesman for the Union Pub Company said: 'The lease for the George and Dragon will soon be available.

'The recent fire has left significant damage which needs to be rectified.

'Refurbishment work, which was already planned for the premises, will begin in the next couple of months and is estimated at £250,000.

'The aim is to develop the George and Dragon as a great pub which is at the heart of its community.

'Lease enquiries are being logged. Interested parties should contact Shaun Nutkins on 07768 257358.'

Tarvin Parish Council has been concerned about the appearance of the pub for some time and councillors have questioned what the breweries plans are for it.

Councillor Roger Hones said: 'I will be delighted if this happens.

'For many years we have believed that the pub required substantial investment to bring it up to a standard that people now expect. I look forward to the opening.'

If anyone has any further information about the fire, contact DS Colin Westgate on 01244 613254.