The police are investigating reports that the fire which gutted a building in the grounds of Lesmahagow's Birkwood Hospital Monday 9th March was started deliberately.

The blaze, was tackled by around 40 fire-fighters from as far afield as Paisley.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said that Initial indications appeared to show that the fire had been started deliberately.

Site owners Eatonfield Group plc, plan to redevelop the site  to create 150 houses and retirement homes. A spokesman for the company has confirmed that the destroyed building was earmarked for demolition so the fire would have no effect on the development.