RESTORATION work could soon begin on one of Newport's historic buildings which was devastated in an arson attack.

It would be the second time that the present owner has embarked on an ambitious scheme to return The Maltings to its former glory.

Work to restore the former brewery was just weeks away from completion when fire ripped through it last March.

About 30 firefighters spent more than two hours bringing the blaze under control and it caused the closure of the City Bridge on the Southern Distributor Road.

Police later confirmed they were treating it as arson.

At the time the owner, John Collingbourne, estimated the damage at more than £1m but he now says it was closer to £2.5m.

The Maltings, a Grade II listed building, was one of the city's elegant landmarks, featuring in the masterplan produced by regeneration company Newport Unlimited, and the ruined building was a sad sight.

Mr Collingbourne said an application for reinstatement of the building was with the city council and he was hopeful it would be approved. "All we have done at this stage is clear up the mess and put up scaffolding to make it safe and secure."

He added at the moment they were waiting for costings and the next stage would be to employ contractors, but he was confident it would go ahead as they had been working closely with the council and Cadw, the historic buildings watchdog.

It was originally planned to use The Maltings as a furniture warehouse but it is not now known what its future will be. "We haven't got that far. All we are planning to do is get the building rebuilt and then look for uses," he added.

Mr Collingbourne said he understood there would be no prosecution over the fire.

"I think it is absolutely disgusting if that is the case," he said. A Gwent Police spokeswoman said three people were arrested and the case referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, but there was insufficient evidence to charge them.