Police investigating a possible arson attack at a Bearsted fish and chip shop have released an image of a man they want to trace.

Around £5,000 damage was caused to Marino’s Fish Bar in Ashford Road after a fire ripped through the shop on the morning of September 1. It has since reopened.

The cause is unknown and may have been accidental, but was recorded as a possible arson. The blaze is thought to have begun in a bin.

DC Madeline Brackley from the Reactive Crime Team at Maidstone Police Station said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service stated there was no accelerant used and said it was possibly a cigarette that started it.

"We have since reviewed local CCTV and a man is seen in an alleyway at the rear of Marino’s around 30 minutes before the fire flares up.

“It may be that he smelt smoke and went round to see what it was but he does not appear to have called the fire brigade, as the first call came in later, at 9.04am. We would like to trace him to possibly rule him out of our enquiries.”

The unidentified man is aged 30 to 50, of medium build and bald, with greying hair on each side of his head and possibly a grey beard. He was wearing glasses, a green and white polo shirt and dark trousers.

Anyone who can identify him should call DC Brackley on 01622 604282, quoting incident YY/17237/13