Crews battle fire at former hotel

The hotel has been targeted by arsonists since it closed

Seventy-five firefighters from across Dorset were called to deal with a fire at a disused Bournemouth hotel.

The fire, at the site of the former Dormy Hotel in Ferndown, broke out in one of the accommodation blocks at about midnight on Wednesday.

A spokesman from the fire service said crews managed to bring the blaze under control quickly and no-one was injured. It is believed the fire was deliberate.

There have been several arson attacks on the hotel since it closed in 2004.

Since it closed, plans to develop the site for housing have been hit by objections from local residents and environmentalists.

Developers are now proposing to build a retirement village on the site.