A YEAR on, three buildings ravaged by fire in the heart of Wimborne are nearly fully restored.

Since 30-foot flames engulfed the picturesque High Street last July, it has taken intense work to repair damage to roofs, floors and walls.

Now building contractors Jordan and Faber say they hope to be finished in two months so The Albion Inn, Saville Travel, Thomas Cook and Martin’s newsagent can move back in.

Partner Andrew Faber said: “The structural stuff will be done by mid-August, all being well.

“Because they’re Grade Two listed buildings, we’ve worked quite closely with conservationists to try to keep as much of the building and materials in style as we possibly can.”

This involved hiring structural engineers.

Mr Faber added: “Some of the tenants will then need to go in to do their own internal ‘shop fit’, like laying carpets.

“But the pub should be up and running sooner.”

Following the blaze, planning applications had to be submitted to reinstate the buildings, and residents designed a mural to hide the scaffolding, which takes up the pavement.

Thomas Cook, currently on East Street, said they hoped to be open for business as usual in September.

Saville Travel also moved to East Street, while the Post Office, previously housed in Martin’s newsagent, sits in a portable building in the Minster Church car park.

Mike Hirsch, head of Planning and Building Control at East Dorset District Council, said it was hoped the re-built properties would look “slightly better” than before, thanks to good quality materials ranging from an oak timber roof to replica replacement roof tiles.