Man charged following serious hotel fire

Image source, JasperImage

Image caption, The fire happened in the early hours of Friday

A man has appeared in court after a serious fire saw a hotel in Moray evacuated.

Emergency services were called to Ladyhill House in Elgin's Hill Street at about 02:00 on Friday.

About 30 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze, which took three hours to bring under control. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Callum Banks, 35, of Elgin, appeared at the town's sheriff court charged with putting lives in danger by deliberately starting a fire. He made no plea and was granted bail.