Firefighters forced their way into an eyesore building in Egremont to extinguish a fire.

The small fire was on the first floor of the former Red Lion Hotel in Market Place and crews had to kick down the door to gain entry, just after 6.30pm last night (Tuesday).

Once inside, they put out the blaze and used a thermal imaging camera to check the three-story building before leaving.

The building, which has stood empty for years, has fallen into a dilapidated state.

However, news was welcomed by townsfolk earlier this year as plans were approved to transform the building into a 41-bed hotel with conference centre and dining room.