THE former landlady of the Seven Stars pub in Ledbury's Homend has been acquitted of starting the fire which gutted the pub last summer.

The pub was nearly destroyed and neighbouring buildings severely damaged by the blaze in the early hours of Sunday, July 22, 2001.

More than 70 firefighters from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire were called out to deal with it.

Janet Kaye, 43, was accused of arson, a charge which she had denied.

On Monday, a jury of eight women and four men at Hereford Crown Court found her not guilty following a four-day trial.

The prosecution had alleged Ms Kaye, who ran the pub with boyfriend John Moorcroft, had either deliberately set fire to a cardigan lying in the sitting room or drunkenly set a chair alight with a cigarette.

According to evidence given by three police officers and Mr Moorcroft, Ms Kaye admitted starting the fire.

Giving evidence, Ms Kaye said she had probably drunk more than three bottles of white wine on the night of the fire and did not remember many of the events of the evening.

"I remember being surrounded by people on the street," she said. "I felt confused, shocked, guilty and responsible because it was my business I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I feel sorry for all the inconvenience people have been put through and I feel I've lost everything.

"It's just not me. I don't damage things and I wouldn't put people's lives at risk - including my own."

Ms Kaye said she could not remember making the confessions.

Forensic scientist Dr Ronald Denny said admissions she had made were unreliable because of the amount she had drunk. He also said a sleeping pill she had taken could have confused and disoriented her.

Punch Pubs and West Mercia Police declined to comment on the outcome.

Meanwhile, Homend shop Treacle reopened on Friday, 12 months after the blaze. Boutique owner Ginny Harris said she was determined to bounce back, even though the fire completely destroyed the business.

"I was determined to come back, though at times I thought it wouldn't happen," she said, adding she had had a lot of support from customers.