POLICE have appealed for witnesses in connection with a suspected arson attack which ripped through a retail park in Accrington, on Sunday.

The appeal came as a 16-year old youth who had been questioned by police was released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

The fire began after a stack of palates next to Halfords caught fire and spread to the roof of the building, causing extensive heat and smoke damage to the stores.

More than 60 firefighters battled on the roof of the building for three hours to contain the fire, which caused millions of pounds-worth of damage to the building and stock of CBS mail order, Halford's and Netto in Eastgate.

Ten fire appliances were called in from across East Lancashire.

Sergeant Joe Worden said: "If anybody does know anything, we need them to contact us and their calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

"Officers will also be doing house-to-house inquiries to check if anybody saw anything."

Fire chiefs and police have launched an investigation and the stores are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.