THE trial of Janet Kaye, accused of starting a fire which gutted the Seven Stars pub in Ledbury's Homend, is due to start on Monday, July 22, a year to the day since the blaze.

Ms Kaye faces a charge of arson with intent to endanger life. The trial is listed for five days at the Shirehall in Hereford. It has already been postponed twice, on January 28 and February 4 this year.

The pub was severely damaged by a fire in the early hours of Sunday, July 22 last year. The blaze also damaged neighbouring buildings. For the last year, the buildings have been hidden behind barricades while restoration work is planned.

A spokesman for Punch Pubs Co, which owns the Seven Stars, says it has obtained the necessary planning permission for the restoration work and is now awaiting the appointment of a contractor.