A fire which tore through derelict chalets blocks at Pontin's Hemsby Holiday Park is suspected to be arson according to a Norfolk Fire station manager.

The fire began at the former holiday park at around 5am on Tuesday.

Six appliances from Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Acle and Martham fire stations have been on scene throughout the morning.

They found two derelict chalet blocks ablaze, and used compressed air foam to extinguish the fire.

Matthew Clutten, station manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue, said: 'It was quite a significant fire. When we arrived there were two blocks of chalets, each of which were on fire.

'There were also doors and windows on site that had been broken. We currently suspect it was arson.'

Though the fire has been extinguished, fire crews are expected to remain at the scene for some time.

There are plans to build 200 homes on the abandoned site, but a planning application was rejected in March.

The vision put forward by landowners Northern Trust would have seen the 21-acre site turned into a residential area with two acres allocated for commercial use.

The resort closed eight years ago and the site is currently derelict with wildlife running freely.