‘Significant damage’ has been caused to a derelict care home after arsonists set fire to it.

The Chestnut Walk building was targeted between 7pm and 8.30pm on Sunday, May 15.

Offenders accessed the care home unlawfully before starting a fire in one of the rooms.

This caused ‘significant damage’, Thames Valley Police said.

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A spokesperson for the force claimed one of the offenders was wearing all black clothing.

PC Hannah Potter, based at Newbury police station, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about this incident to please come forward.

“Our colleagues at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service managed to put out the fire quickly but advised that had they not been there promptly, the outcome would have been far worse.

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“If you have any CCTV footage in the area or any dash-cam footage if you were in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation.

“To contact us, call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43220210755.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”