TESTS show no asbestos particles in the air following the suspected arson attack on a derelict building in Poole, it has been confirmed.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) attended the fire at Churchill Road, Parkstone, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Firefighters later confirmed the blaze was started deliberately, and police are investigating the incident as a possible arson attack.

Borough of Poole confirmed specialists employed by the Greene King brewery - who own the land - had been at the derelict building behind Parkstone's Churchill pub, shortly after they were informed it had been damaged.

Yesterday, a Greene King spokesman said: "Following the fire in a disused building, as is often the case with older buildings, asbestos was discovered.

"The affected area has been secured and tests conducted by sampling experts show that there are no asbestos particles present in the surrounding air."

Specialist licensed contractors are currently undertaking a thorough clean-up of the local vicinity and the building will be safely demolished as soon as this work is completed, said the spokesman.

She added: "The Churchill pub is unaffected and welcoming customers as usual."

Neighbour Jeff Williams had been anxious to find out whether or not asbestos has been released following the fire.

Before the Greene King statement, he said: "As of now we don't know locally if the roof is made of asbestos - it is a big worry locally."

Some residents told the Echo the building had been used by homeless people and drug paraphernalia has been found there over the years.

Neighbour Bill Lumber, who lives next door, said: " The place used to be an old Co-op milk yard, my wife used to work there.

"It hasn't been open for at least 25 years, but you do occasionally get a homeless guy there. I haven't seen him for a while though."

No arrests have been made in connection with the suspected arson attack.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Borough of Poole planners held pre-application discussions with owners Greene King, in January last year, about redeveloping the site to create a service road and residential development.

However, to date, no official planning application has been lodged with Poole's planning department.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the fire, or anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police via 101, quoting incident number 30:08.