A MAN charged with arson after an incident at a Bournemouth business appeared before a judge on Thursday.

Graham Barnes, of Richmond Park Road, has not yet entered a plea to a charge of arson after workers at Capital Life and Pensions in Holdenhurst Road were evacuated in May.

Prosecutors allege the 54-year-old committed arson with intent or reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Barnes appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court. The case was adjourned until August 15 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the charge follows an incident at 100 Holdenhurst Road on May 30.

Scores of office workers were moved to safety from the building, which is known as the 'wedding cake', after a fire broke out in one of the toilets.

It is alleged the small blaze may have been started deliberately.

No one was injured.