A 13-year-old Margate boy has been charged with arson following a fire at the rear of the Lonsdale Court Hotel, Cliftonville, on March 30.

Guests were evacuated as a safety precaution and a gas pipe into the hotel was damaged by the blaze. Tt has now been repaired.

The boy will face the allegations at Thanet Youth Court at Margate on Wednesday, April 17.