A charity shop in Ashton-on-Ribble has been damaged by a fire.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service sent four crews to contain the fire at Barnardo’s in Blackpool Road.

The fire started around 12.30am on Thursday (3 January).

Firefighters from Preston, Fulwood and Penwortham attended.

They found the fire involved exterior cladding on the building.

Fire crews were on the scene for nearly an hour and a half.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: “The fire was deemed to be of suspicious origin and the police were requested to attend the incident.”

A police spokeswoman said: “It was reported some waste bins were on fire next to the shops.

“The fire is being treated as suspicious and we are investigating.”

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A Barnardo’s spokeswoman said: “Damage has been caused to the front of the Barnardo’s charity shop on Blackpool Road, Ashton after a fire started outside in the early hours of Thursday 3 January 2019.

“The shop has thankfully been able to reopen to customers today and we are supporting police with their enquiries into this matter.”

The donation centre and shop opened, near the junction with Pedders Lane and Ashton Park, in March 2014.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting crime reference 04/11462/19