ALCESTER'S unused Guide hut was at the centre of a suspected arson attack on Saturday night.

Fire crews from Alcester, Studley and Stratford were called to the hut, between Stratford Road and Gas House Lane, at about 10.30pm.

The wooden panelled building was said to be heavily smoke logged and the crews needed breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish the fire.

A fire investigation officer has been called in to find out how the blaze started.

The town council-owned building has been unused since the Guides moved out in August last year at the request of the council, which wants to sell the land for more development.

But since it has been closed, it has become a thorn in the side of the town council, with vandals breaking into the hut and causing damage.

A spokesman for Alcester Town Council said they were waiting for the district valuer to place a value on the site of the old fire station next to to the guide hut before any development plans were undertaken.