A Black Country pub was today gutted by fire in a suspected arson attack.

Firefighters were called to the Red Lion pub in Lawnswood Road, Wordsley, at around 5.30am following reports of a blaze.

Four engines from Dudley, Stourbridge and Brierley Hill rushed to the scene where they found the downstairs of the pub on fire.

It is believed the fire was started deliberately as it broke out in several places.

No-one was inside the building at the time but the main pub was severely damaged and fire crews took more than hour to extinguish the flames.

Dudley firefighter Stuart Henley said: “The downstairs of the pub was completely gutted.

“The fire had been started in several places and the police are now investigating.

“There was no-one inside the pub or upstairs at the time.”

A specialist team of fire officers is also investigating the blaze.