A historic former pub and restaurant, destroyed in an arson attack, has been demolished.

Only rubble now lies where the former Juddy’s Luncheon Club stood in Cross Street, Chatham.

It was targeted by arsonists three times in one week earlier this month.

Flames ripped through the building, which dated back to the 17th century, after firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in the roof in the third incident.

The roof eventually caved in and the premises, which had been the Smiths Arms pub, were deemed unsafe.

Medway Council closed the road to all traffic as a safety precaution and at the time said, because the building was privately owned, the road would remain closed until it could contact the owners. The road reopened on Tuesday.

At the time, witnesses described hearing bricks falling around the blazing building.

At its peak, there were three fire engines at the scene. The blaze is still being investigated by police.

Keith Gulvin, from Rochester, a trustee of nearby Fort Amherst, had previously contacted the Messenger to express his concern over the future of the building.

He said he had tried to have it listed by Historic England but was disappointed because of delays in inspecting the structure, which he believed was the only historic building left in that part of the town.

On hearing the building has now been pulled down, he said: “That news saddens me.

“It is really disappointing Historic England didn’t get around to inspecting it and now it is too late.

“Chatham has already lost so much of its history, soon there will be nothing left.”