One of the oldest buildings in Stockton's High Street is set to be demolished following a devastating fire.

The former Top Rank bingo hall, which dates back to the 1880's, was destroyed by fire last Thursday.

Shops and pubs nearby had to be evacuated as huge flames filled the air and part of the building collapsed.

Contractors are currently making the building safe and it is hoped work to demolish it can start soon.

From the High Street it is impossible to see the full extent of the damage, but from the back of the building metal pillars point through the walls and most of the roof has collapsed.

Jonathan Marsh, who owns the building, said: "Making the building safe is only the first stage, demolition follows this and hopefully we will have it down by Christmas.

"It is an awful shame what happened. The bingo hall was a big piece of Stockton.

"From the outside it looks as if there has not been a lot of damage, but inside you can see the state it is in."

The bingo hall has not been used in the past five years, and in 1999 Stockton Borough Council granted planning permission for it to be converted into a club.

Around 60 military firefighters tackled the blaze for around six hours.