AN investigation is continuing into an arson attack which caused major structural damage to a Grade II listed building in Northwich.

The fire at the sanitary warehouse on the Moore and Brock site on May 2 has left the former managing director of the company disappointed and frustrated on behalf of his workforce.

The business started by John Moore in 1834 closed in 1998 with the loss of jobs and the pension fund for the workers.

During the 1980s managing director Barry Knight, 67, tried in vain to get the conservation order lifted from the building in a bid to sell the site and use the cash to save the company.

He said: "We were being approached to sell this land for between £3million and £5million.

"If we had not been burdened by that warehouse, we could have sold and moved to more suitable premises out of town.

"Our company would still have been trading and our pensioners would have been secured for all time.

"Everyone used to joke that if there was a fire I would be the main suspect."

Barry is still battling to get some of the money back for his workforce.

He said: "I won't abandon them. I have contacted solicitors and MPs. I won't rest until the job is done."

Meanwhile he said Vale Royal Borough Council must be delighted by the outcome.

He said: "It is so frustrating. This will make it so much easier for the borough council. They must be laughing all the way to the bank."