Woman charged with pub arson

The charred remains of the pub seen from the air

A woman has appeared in court charged with arson after a severe fire destroyed a medieval pub in Herefordshire.

Fire crews were called to the 16th-century Seven Stars pub, in the centre of Ledbury, early on Sunday morning.

The fire had already spread to the neighbouring Co-op Travel shop and a clothes shop.

At its height, 70 firefighters from Hereford and Worcester were at the scene.

We are hoping to keep the facade of the Seven Stars but the rest is completely gone

Chris Massey, Herefordshire Council

Janet Kaye, from Ledbury, was arrested shortly after the fire started.

The 42-year-old appeared before magistrates in Hereford on Monday and her case was referred to the Crown Court on 31 July.

Ms Kaye was remanded in custody until then.

Work has begun to try to save the pub's facade.

'Completely gutted'

Chris Massey, senior buildings contractor for Herefordshire Council, said: "At the moment we have completely lost the Seven Stars.

"Fire damage has spread to the Co-op Travel and the first floor of that business is completely gutted.

"On the other side of the pub, the roof of the clothes shop is gone but the rest seems to be intact.

"We are hoping to keep the facade of the Seven Stars but the rest is completely gone."

I am very upset about it and feel its like going to the funeral of a very close friend

Doris Mitton

Local people said they were stunned by the loss of the historic pub.

Doris Mitton said: "It is very, very sad.

"I know it's a building and not a human being but to me it has been part of living in Ledbury.

"I am very upset about it and feel its like going to the funeral of a very close friend. I think that many people will feel the same way."

'Quite dumbstruck'

Sonia Claus, whose mother has lived in the town for 20 years, added: "I came to see the town with a friend who is a production designer and I am quite dumbstruck by what has happened.

"Ledbury is so beautiful and has so many lovely buildings. I don't think anyone can believe what has happened.

"This sort of thing hasn't really happened in Ledbury before."