Police have launched an arson probe after a new barbers shop was destroyed in an early-morning blaze today.

The fire ripped through what is soon to be Best Cuts in St Dunstan’s Street, Canterbury, at 3.30am, badly damaging the three-storey building.

Crews wearing specialist breathing equipment spent more than an hour tackling the flames, which gutted a ground-floor shop being kitted out for the barbers.

The premises had most recently been home to Pearson Gore estate agents.

Its second and third storeys suffered smoke damage.

Fire investigators believe the blaze was started deliberately.

Police say enquiries are ongoing.