DETECTIVES have launched an investigation into a burglary and suspicious fire at a car repair workshop.

Police were called by firefighters to the A1 Motorist Centre on an industrial estate at Broadstairs just after 3.15am on Monday and found the building extensively damaged by fire.

A rear door to the building had been forced open and an office inside had been burgled with an amount of cash stolen.

More than 50 firefighters from Thanet, Canterbury and Folkestone were called to the blaze that extensively damaged 30 per cent of the car repair workshop and caused smoke and heat damage to the rest of the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Det Sgt Claire Munday at Margate Police Station on 01843 222192.