A DERELICT hotel was seriously damaged after catching fire last night.

The first floor of The Kensington Hall Hotel, Kensington Terrace, Willington, was reported to be well alight just after 11pm yesterday, the fire brigade said.

Fire engines from Crook and Bishop Auckland were dispatched.

The fire was extinguished just before 1am. The roof of the two storey building has been seriously damaged.