Witnesses are being sought to a suspected arson attack on a derelict church in Chatham.

More than 30 firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed part of St Mary’s Church roof on Monday morning.

Busy Dock Road was closed to traffic in both directions for three hours while crews from Medway, Strood and other parts of the county brought the fire under control.

Now police are urging witnesses to the fire, which is being treated as suspicious, to come forward.

DC Louise Evans, from Medway Police, said: "Fortunately Kent Fire and Rescue Service were able to extinguish the fire before it spread throughout the building, but a considerable amount of damage was caused, particularly to the roof of the building.

"We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact us and are especially keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time the fire started, who may have seen someone acting suspiciously ."

The alarm was raised short after 5.30am when someone spotted smoke coming out of the church.

Firefighters managed to get the blaze, which was contained to one part of the building, under control by about 7am.

They had to cut away parts of the timber roof to stop the fire spreading.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We have done very well to save most of it. It had the potential to spread because the roof is made of timber."

Station Manager, Lawrence Pater, said: "Because of the extensive nature of the operation we did not want traffic hindering our operation and we did not want them in the risk area."

The church, which also used to be a heritage centre, has been derelict for several years and is one of Chatham’s oldest buildings.

Anyone with any information about the fire is asked to phone Kent Police on 01622 690690 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Do you have pictures of the fire? Please email them to medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.