An iconic pub and adjoining restaurant largely destroyed in a huge fire are both set to re-open just six months after the blaze.

On Thursday, April 24, Dressers Arms landlord Steven Turner and Little Hong Kong restaurant owner Jack Catterall looked on in horror at the extent of the damage to the premises, which date back to the 1700s, became apparent.

An electrical fault caused the blaze, which 60 firefighters tackled for several hours at Briers Lane, Wheelton.

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The roof was almost completely destroyed and the interior severely damaged in the fire.

However, through the massive efforts of contractors and workers at the businesses, they are both set to open in early November.

Jack Catterall, 28, took over the Little Hong Kong in May 2012, said he had feared the restaurant would be closed for much longer when he first saw the damage.

He said: “I was numb when I got the call at 6.30am on the morning of the fire.

“And I didn’t know what to think when I saw the how the fire had ripped through.

“I certainly didn’t expect to be re-opening by early November.

“I must pay tribute to the work the Dressers’ landlord Steven Turner and his wife Trudy have done since the fire.

“We rent the restaurant from them and Steven has been here every day, making sure the work goes smoothly and ensuring we can open as soon as possible.

“The support of our family, friends and customers has been immense. We are opening in mid-November and are booked solid for the first three nights.

“We’ve been able to increase our capacity to around 70 and it’s good that we’ll be open in the run up to Christmas.”

The Dressers is expected to open in early November, with the Little Hong Kong re-launching on Wednesday, November 12.