'Dodd's museum' hit by fire

Ken Dodd wants to turn the hall in to a comedy museum

A Liverpool building Ken Dodd wants to turn in to a museum has been badly damaged in a suspected arson attack.

Fire crews took several hours to bring the fire at the historic Thingwall Hall under control on Wednesday night.

The roof space and the second floor of the building, which was built in 1848, were virtually destroyed in the fire.

Dodd, who lives close to the building in Broadgreen, has been campaigning to turn the hall in to a comedy museum and a national archive for comic material.

The future of the hall, which used to be a childrens' home, is uncertain and has been empty for several years.

Dodd is understood to be "livid" about the fire, which Merseyside Police is investigating.

Fire crews from three appliances were called in to tackle the incident.