Fire at garden centre in Kibblesworth, Gateshead, which caused around £30,000 worth of damage, may have been started deliberately.

The emergency services were called to the garden centre on Haggs Lane, Kibblesworth at 5.40am on Sunday, May 1, following reports of a fire.

It is not known how the blaze started but Northumbria Police believe it may have been deliberate and are treating the case as arson.

Luckily no one was in the centre at the time, although it is estimated the fire caused around £30,000 worth of damage to metal containers and equipment at the site.

Police are investigating a group of youths who were said to be camping close to Silverhills Nursery at the time of the incident.

T/Chief inspector Scott Hall of Gateshead Area Command said on Sunday: "We believe there was a group of youths camping in the woods near to the garden centre and would like them or any parents who know their children were camping in the area last night, to contact us."

He added: "Luckily no one was injured in the fire but it has caused considerable damage to some of the cabins in the centre, as well as tools and equipment."

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