A FORMER hospital building due for demolition has been gutted by fire.

The derelict block of flats in Clare Court off Exeter Road, Farnworth was one of eight buildings set to be knocked down.

Fire crews were called to the scene at around 10pm last night. Four engines and an aerial unit tackled the blaze for three hours.

The roof and first floor of the two-storey building were wiped out by the fire.

The Clare Court flats have repeatedly been a target for vandals over the last few weeks as the fire service has been repeatedly called to the site to tackle small fires.

The fire brigade have confirmed the blaze was started deliberately.