Two men accused of starting a fire at Cycle King in Bury St Edmunds which caused £1.6million damage will stand trial next March.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cycle King after the fire. Picture: GREGG BROWNCycle King after the fire. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Before Ipswich Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing were Dysney Sibbons, 22, of Flatford Close, Stowmarket, and Ashley Finley, 24, of Borley Crescent, Elmswell.

They both pleaded not guilty to arson and their trial, which is expected to last two to three days, will get underway on March 4.

Emergency services were called to the scene of a fire at the cycle shop, on Angel Hill, at around 5pm on September 29 last year.

The blaze ripped through the building, leaving it completely destroyed, before spreading to the nearby One Bull pub and Francela restaurant, causing extensive smoke damage to the buildings.

At its height a dozen fire engines and more than 60 firefighters were sent to fight the flames.