INVESTIGATORS say arsonists set fire to a pile of rubbish in a former bus depot this afternoon.

Two fire crews were called to the disused building, in Queen Street, Colchester at 2.30pm.

Firefighters reported the blaze measured about 15sq metres and the building was heavily smoke-logged.

The fire was extinguished shortly before 3pm and crews stayed on scene to tackle hotspots and air the building.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate."